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

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.