WHO to weigh whether monkeypox outbreak is a global health emergency: 5 updates

The World Health Organization will convene next week to decide whether the monkeypox
outbreak constitutes an international public health emergency, the agency’s director
general said during a June 14 press briefing. 

“The global outbreak of monkeypox is clearly unusual and concerning. It’s for that reason
that I have decided to convene the emergency committee under the international health
regulations next week to assess whether this outbreak represents a public health
emergency of international concern,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, the WHO’s
director-general.

The declaration would spearhead further international coordination on response efforts. 

Four more updates: 

1. There have been 1,600 cases confirmed globally and 1,500 suspected cases reported from
   39 countries, according to WHO officials. In seven of those countries, the virus has been
   endemic, with 32 newly affected countries. Endemic countries have reported 72 deaths so
   far. 
2. In the U.S., there have been 72 cases confirmed across 17 states and Washington, D.C., as
   of June 14. The nation has ordered 500,000 more  Jynneos  monkeypox vaccines from
   manufacturer Bavarian Nordic, bringing the U.S.’ supply of the shot to nearly 2 million. 
3. At this time, the WHO does not recommend widespread vaccination against monkeypox.
   Officials are emphasizing the importance of surveillance, contact tracing and isolation. “For
   contacts of cases, post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended with an appropriate second-
   or third-generation vaccine, ideally within four days of first exposure to prevent onset of
   disease,” the WHO said in new interim guidance on immunization for monkeypox. 
4. The agency is considering renaming monkeypox to reduce stigma and racism surrounding
   the virus. It is working with experts in orthopoxviruses to determine more appropriate
   names.