WHO Declares Monkeypox Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has clarified that monkeypox (mpox) is not comparable to COVID-19, emphasizing that there will not be lockdowns or widespread public health measures similar to those seen during the pandemic. WHO officials, including regional director Hans Kluge, noted that mpox poses a lower risk to the general population in Europe and is primarily transmitted through intimate contact, not casual interactions. Recent outbreaks have raised concerns about a new variant of the virus, but the situation is being closely monitored, with no indication of a return to pandemic-level restrictions. Experts stress that monkeypox is a known disease with established prevention and treatment protocols, unlike the initially unknown coronavirus. While the WHO has declared a public health emergency regarding monkeypox, it is focused on targeted responses rather than broad measures affecting the entire population. The ongoing surveillance and preventive strategies are deemed essential to managing the disease's spread, particularly in African regions where cases are more prevalent.