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This happened following a viral infection outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease spread to adjacent countries.
On August 14, the emergency committee convened a meeting in which WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus discussed whether the outbreak constituted a "public health emergency of international concern."
This type of situation is considered the WHO's "highest level of alert" and may speed up research, boost funding, and promote international collaboration to control the disease, as reported by Reuters.
The WHO chief said that a united global effort is necessary to halt these outbreaks and protect lives, as reported by the agency.
Earlier this week, the Africa CDC declared a smallpox emergency on the continent due to the rapid spread of the viral infection. The virus has reached Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, as well as other countries.
source: reuters.com
On August 14, the emergency committee convened a meeting in which WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus discussed whether the outbreak constituted a "public health emergency of international concern."
This type of situation is considered the WHO's "highest level of alert" and may speed up research, boost funding, and promote international collaboration to control the disease, as reported by Reuters.
The WHO chief said that a united global effort is necessary to halt these outbreaks and protect lives, as reported by the agency.
Earlier this week, the Africa CDC declared a smallpox emergency on the continent due to the rapid spread of the viral infection. The virus has reached Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, as well as other countries.
source: reuters.com
