US calls for global coordination against monkeypox

Washington, Jul 23 (EFE).- The World Health Organization’s declaration of monkeypox as an international health emergency is a call to action and global coordination, the United States said Saturday.

“Today’s decision by the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the current monkeypox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern is a call to action for the world community to stop the spread of this virus,” said Raj Panjabi, director of White House Pandemic Preparedness Office, in a statement.

“A coordinated, international response is essential to stop the spread of monkeypox, protect communities at greatest risk of contracting the disease, and combat the current outbreak.”

The monkeypox outbreak now has accumulated more than 16,000 cases in 75 countries, many of them in Europe.

Panjabi added that from early on in the outbreak the administration of US President Joe Biden has deployed a “robust and comprehensive” strategy to combat it with an increase in the production of vaccines and an expansion of access to tests and treatment.

“But that is not enough (…) we must step up our work to aggressively combat this virus and protect communities in the United States that have been affected,” he concluded. EFE

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