GENEVA: The World Health Organization said it has removed the distinction between endemic and non-endemic countries in its data to better integrate the response to the virus.
Until the last few months, monkeypox was generally confined to the western and central Africa But now exists in many continents. “We are bridging the distinction between endemic and non-endemic countries, reporting on those countries where possible, where necessary,” the WHO said in its outbreak status update on June 17.
It said that between January 1 and June 15, there have been 2,103 confirmed cases in 42 countries, one probable case and one death reported to the WHO.
The Geneva-based UN health agency is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on June 23 to determine whether to classify the global monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern. The designation is the highest alarm a UN agency can sound.
The majority – 84% – of the confirmed cases are from the European region, followed by Of Americaafrica, Eastern Mediterranean area and western pacific region. The WHO believes that the actual number of cases is likely to be higher.
Until the last few months, monkeypox was generally confined to the western and central Africa But now exists in many continents. “We are bridging the distinction between endemic and non-endemic countries, reporting on those countries where possible, where necessary,” the WHO said in its outbreak status update on June 17.
It said that between January 1 and June 15, there have been 2,103 confirmed cases in 42 countries, one probable case and one death reported to the WHO.
The Geneva-based UN health agency is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on June 23 to determine whether to classify the global monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern. The designation is the highest alarm a UN agency can sound.
The majority – 84% – of the confirmed cases are from the European region, followed by Of Americaafrica, Eastern Mediterranean area and western pacific region. The WHO believes that the actual number of cases is likely to be higher.