Monkeypox: WHO considers declaring public health emergency in closed-door debate

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The World Health Organization (WHO) met behind closed doors on Thursday to determine if the monkeypox outbreak should be considered a public emergency.

“An emergency does not mean a pandemic, but it’s essentially saying we have to be put on alert and we have to do something about it,” infectious diseases doctor Dr. Monica Gandhi told Global News.

In such a determination, part of the criteria that the WHO examines includes international spread. Globally, over 3,000 cases have been recorded in more than 50 countries, while hundreds have been reported across Canada and the U.S.

Health experts say summer events, including Pride celebrations, could become a nexus for its spread. As Reggie Cecchini reports, a declaration of monkeypox as a public health emergency could take place in a matter of days.