WHO declares monkeypox outbreak emergency; U.S. eases access to treatment

Jul 25, 2022 - 04:03 PM

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Saturday declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern and recommended governments take certain steps to strengthen and coordinate the global response to the outbreak. WHO member states have reported over 16,000 monkeypox cases this year, including over 2,800 U.S. cases since May 18.  

“Monkeypox has spread around the world and we will continue to take decisive action to tackle it both here in the U.S. and, working in concert with our partners abroad, globally,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday announced a streamlined process to obtain and use tecovirimat to treat monkeypox, and will update clinicians on the process during a July 26 webinar at 2 p.m. ET. 
 

Related News Articles

Headline
Pennsylvania surpasses 1,000 measles cases; New York declares disaster emergency
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Oct. 5 that the state has reached 1,004 confirmed measles cases this year. There have been 27 new positive…
Headline
Pennsylvania announces 5th measles-related death as cases approach 1,000
A fifth measles-associated death was recorded in Pennsylvania, the state’s Department of Health announced Sept. 30. The department said the individual was…
Headline
Pennsylvania health department announces 2 additional measles deaths, bringing total to 4 
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Sept. 15 announced the confirmation of two additional measles-associated deaths, bringing the state’s total to four. The…
Headline
Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce declared over
A multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce has been declared over, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug…
Headline
Two people die from measles in Pennsylvania
Two individuals in Pennsylvania have died from measles, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Aug. 25. They are the first deaths from the disease in…
Headline
President signs executive order to change childhood vaccine schedule
President Trump signed an executive order Aug. 10 revamping the federal government’s recommended childhood vaccine schedule. The order divides immunizations…