MONKEYPOX has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after cases spread to more than 70 countries.
Dr Tedros Adhanmon Ghebreyesus said the risk of people catching the virus in Europe was "high".
The WHO Director General said the risk globally was "moderate" but the health committee had decided to declare an emergency anyway.
Dr Tedros said Monkeypox had now spread to more than 75 countries and infected more than 16,000 people, killing five.
"In light of the evolving outbreak, I reconvened the committee on Thursday of this week to review the latest data and advise me accordingly," he said.
He said the committee was at first "was unable to reach a consensus" on whether to declare a global emergency but that the "WHO’s assessment is that the risk of monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions, except in the European region where we assess the risk as high".
MORE ON MONKEYPOX
Monkeypox cases hit 2,593 in the US as new infections are detected
New monkeypox symptoms revealed as experts warn the bug ‘has no borders’
He said there was also a "clear risk" of further international spread, although the risk the virus would spread as more people travelled remained "low".
"In short, we have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly, through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little, and which meets the criteria in the International Health Regulations," Dr Tedros told a press conference today.
Outbreaks across the globe were sparked in May and experts are still grappling with containing them.
Anyone can get the illness – more so if you have been in contact or had sexual contact with someone with symptoms.
Most read in The Sun
WOW! 
Stacey Solomon reveals stunning blonde hair after four-day makeover for wedding
Paddy and Christine McGuinness's shock split and how they kept it secret
Kim shows off butt stretch marks & hoses down Khloe in unedited bikini pics
Paddy and Christine McGuinness have SPLIT calling it a 'difficult decision'
Traditionally, people with monkeypox have developed a fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches and muscle aches.
The symptoms are followed by a rash that starts on their face or mouth and then spreads to other parts of their body – particularly the hands and feet.
However, in some recent cases, patients first experienced a rash in the mouth or around the genitals or anus.
And instead of widespread rashes, some patients saw scattered or localized lesions in areas other than the face, hands, or feet.
Source: Read Full Article
