The incidence of monkeypox decreased by ninety percent of the world in the last three months compared to the previous quarter, indicating significant progress in the fight against the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today, after declaring an international health emergency in July last year.

An emergency committee, made up of experts and set up by WHO to track the evolution of this outbreak, is meeting today to determine whether it is appropriate to cancel this emergency declaration or better to keep it longer.

Cases of monkeypox (originally known as monkeypox) they have been reported in 111 countries, 87,000 cases and 140 deaths.

“We must congratulate work of health authorities and from civil society organizations that quickly informed people about the risks, supported behavior change and demanded access to tests, vaccines and treatments,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, opening the meeting of the Emergency Committee.

Despite the fact that the panorama of this disease has improved markedly, Tedros recalled that the virus continues to be transmitted in certain groups and countries, especially in the Western Pacific region, and that there is still an importation of viruses through people who travel.

The current outbreak began in 2022 in the United Kingdom, and soon cases began to be reported in countries around the world where the disease was not endemic, which worried authorities.

The risk of regular transmission of the disease is significant in countries with outbreaks, especially in situations where the transmission route is not well understood, Tedros said.

“Unfortunately, many countries are losing their vigilance and reducing tests and vaccinations,” commented the CEO, who will receive the advice of the Committee of Emergency Situations and must decide – in accordance with his mandate – to accept it or not.