Monkeypox outbreak declared a global health emergency by the WHO

The WHO has declared the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency - this is the highest alert the WHO can issue.

The alert came at the end of the second meeting of the WHO's monkeypox emergency committee, as cases are rising around the world.

According to WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, more than 16,000 cases have been reported in 75 countries. Five deaths have been reported.

Currently there are only two other such health emergencies, coronavirus and the effort to eradicate polio.

Dr Tedros explained that the emergency committee had been unable to reach a consensus on whether the current monkeypox outbreak should be classified as a global health emergency, but as the outbreak had spread around the world rapidly, he had decided that it was of international concern.

He said: "The WHO's assessment is that the risk of monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions, except in the European region, where we assess the risk as high."

He also said there was a clear risk of further international spread.

The director general said the declaration would help speed up vaccine development and the implementation of measure to limit the virus's spread.

In response to the outbreak, the WHO is announcing recommendations for countries to take action to stop transmission and protect the most vulnerable.