WHO Declares Monkeypox Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a global health emergency as the disease, endemic in west and central Africa, has continued to spread in the US and Europe.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement on Saturday after members of its expert group were split over whether the outbreak represents a global health emergency.

He said he had to act as a tie-breaker to resolve the disagreement, according to Reuters.

Nine members of the expert committee were against the designation with six in favour, Tedros told reporters after the WHO gave the virus the highest level of alert.

"Although I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern, for the moment this is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners," Tedros said.