Who launches Global Health Emergency Team in response to monkeypox outbreak

The World Health Organization and partners launched the Global Health Emergency Task Force for the first time in October to support countries affected by monkeypox outbreaks. In addition, the UK government announced the first case of a new variant of monkeypox, but stressed that the risk to the public remains low.

The Global Health Emergency Task Force, made up of professionals, aims to strengthen the capacity of countries to respond to health emergencies and provide a platform for collaboration between countries and health emergency networks, Xinhua reported, citing a WHO communique on Tuesday (29 October).

Through an assessment of emergency response capacity in eight countries affected by monkeypox outbreaks, the Global Health Emergency Task Force has now identified 22 areas for strengthening, including epidemiological surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement. As of 17 October, WHO has sent 56 experts to countries affected by monkeypox outbreaks.

Michael Ryan, Executive Director of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, said WHO and its partners are providing comprehensive support to DRC and other countries in case testing, close contact tracing, targeted vaccination, clinical and home care, infection prevention and control.

In August, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern." This is the second time since July 2022 that WHO has issued the highest level of warning under the International Health Regulations for monkeypox outbreaks.

According to Reuters, the United Kingdom Health and Safety Authority (UKHSA) announced on Wednesday (30th) that London has confirmed a case of monkeypox Ib variant. The patient, who had recently traveled to Africa, has been transferred to a specialized hospital for treatment. Authorities said close contacts were being traced and stressed that the risk to the public remained low.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease. The initial symptoms of monkeypox infection in humans include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes, which can progress to a widespread rash on the face and body. Most people recover within a few weeks, but some become seriously ill or even die.