The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 14,000 cases of monkeypox worldwide, with five deaths reported in Africa.
The Director General, WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disclosed this on Wednesday during a virtual media briefing.
He noted that most of the cases reported thus far have been found in Europe, particularly among men who have sex with men.
Ghebreyesus further revealed that the WHO will convene the second meeting of a committee on Thursday to decide whether the outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), its highest level of alert.
“Regardless of the committee’s recommendation, WHO will continue to do everything we can to support countries to stop transmission and save lives,” Ghebreyesus said.
He stated that while infections are declining in some countries, “others are still seeing an increase and six countries reported their first cases last week.”
He added: “Some of these countries have much less access to diagnostics and vaccines, making the outbreak harder to track and harder to stop.
“WHO is validating, procuring and shipping tests to multiple countries and will continue to provide support for expanded access to effective diagnostics.”