Monkeypox could be declared ‘Emergency of International Concern’

The Mauritian authorities are reportedly on high alert after the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee has been convened due to the spread of the Monkeypox virus  in 32 non-endemic countries.

The experts will meet on June 23 to assess whether the continuing outbreak represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the highest level of global alert, which currently applies only to the COVID-19 pandemic and polio.

So far this year, more than 1,600 confirmed cases and almost 1,500 suspected cases of Monkeypox and 72 deaths have been reported to WHO, across 39 countries.

Mauritius has officially not registered any case of Monkeypox so far.

“The global outbreak  of Monkeypox is clearly unusual and concerning”, said Dr Indrajit Hazarika, the new representative of  the World Health Organization in Mauritius.

The risk of spread in Europe is considered “high” while in the rest of the world “moderate”. “The WHO doesn’t want to wait until the situation is out of control”, he said.

“At this time, the World Health Organization does not recommend mass vaccination. Decisions about the use of smallpox or Monkeypox vaccines should be based on a full assessment of the risks and benefits in each case,” the guidelines indicated.

Mauritius is looking into buying Monkeypox jabs in advance.