"It's clear that a coordinated #international response is essential to stop these outbreaks & save lives," said #WHO Dir-Gen Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Earlier this week, #Africa's top #PublicHealth body. declared an #mpox emergency for #Africa after warning that the viral infection was spreading at an alarming rate.

#GlobalPublicHealth #GlobalHealth #health #PHEIC #cladeIb #vaccinate

Determining a disease #outbreak as a "#PublicHealth emergency of international concern" or #PHEIC - the WHO's highest level of #alert — can accelerate #research, #funding & #international public health measures & co-operation to contain a #disease.

The outbreak in #Congo began w/the spread of an #endemic strain, known as #cladeI. But a new variant, #cladeIb, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact.

#GlobalHealth #health #vaccinate