Mpox no longer an international health emergency, says WHO chief

FILE PHOTO: People depart a Primary Health Care Center after receiving mpox vaccination, following the resurgence of mpox cases in Igabi

GENEVA (Reuters) -Mpox no longer represents a international health emergency, the World Health Organization chief said on Friday.

The viral infection spreads through close contact and typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

“This decision is based on sustained declines in cases and as in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in other affected countries including Burundi, Sierra, Leone and Uganda,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

(Reporting by Olivia Le PoidevinEditing by Ludwig Burger)