(Geneva) The WHO on Wednesday called for the sharing of data on the effectiveness of vaccines against monkeypox, of which more than 3,400 cases – including children – have been recorded worldwide since January.
Posted at 12:22 p.m.
“The countries that currently have this vaccine stockpiled, including the United States and under the leadership of the United States, have expressed their willingness to share these vaccines with other countries,” said the executive director in charge of the Program. WHO Health Emergencies Management, the Dr Michael Ryan at a press conference.
But, he said, “it is very important – as we encourage the sharing of these products – that we can collect the necessary data on clinical effectiveness”.
Known in humans since 1970, monkeypox is considered much less dangerous and contagious than its cousin, smallpox, eradicated in 1980. An unusual upsurge in cases has been detected since May outside central African countries and the West where the virus usually circulates.
From 1er January to June 22, 3413 confirmed cases and one death have been reported to WHO in 50 countries, including 2933, or 86%, in Europe. According to the WHO, the actual number of cases is higher.
The Director General of the WHO, Dr.r Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was “concerned about the sustained transmission” of the virus on Wednesday. “This suggests that the virus is becoming established and can reach high-risk groups, including children, immunocompromised people and pregnant women”, and “this is what we are starting to see with several children already infected,” he explained.
The WHO estimated on Saturday that this global outbreak of monkeypox was a health threat whose evolution was very worrying, without yet reaching the stage of a “public health emergency of international concern”, the highest degree of organization alert.
“Not declaring a public health emergency of international concern does not mean it is not an emergency,” Dr.r Ibrahima Socé Fall, WHO Assistant Director General for Emergency Response.
Of the 14 experts, only three considered that the criteria were met to declare the alert, revealed the Dr Tedros. “They advised me to summon them again quickly depending on the evolution of the situation. What I will do”.
The WHO considers that the current priority is to reduce the transmission of the virus, through prevention, screening and information actions. “For now, the use of vaccines is limited to workers [de santé] high risk,” said Dr.r Ryan.