The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 50 countries an “emergency of international concern.”
“Although I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern, for the moment this is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, on Saturday, July 23.
“That means that this is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups,” the WHO Chief added.
Declaring an emergency is the WHO’s highest alert level for health threats; but it has no immediate consequences.
It is meant to alert governments to take action to protect their populations.
An ongoing outbreak of the viral disease monkeypox was confirmed in May 2022; beginning with a cluster of cases found in the United Kingdom.
From May 18 onwards, cases were reported from an increasing number of countries and regions; predominantly in Europe, but also in North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
As of July 23, there have been a total of 17,186 confirmed cases. Since the beginning of 2022, 72 deaths were reported, all in Africa.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says it would partner with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fight against the distribution and sales of adulterated products.
Mr Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi; as well as Enugu state said this in Awka on Saturday, July 22.
Anyaso said the leadership of IPMAN in Southeast had met with the Enugu Zonal Office of EFCC; with a view to exploring areas of collaboration.
He said such adulterated products were gradually finding their way into filling stations; adding that the association would not allow the unhealthy development to continue.
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He said the leadership of IPMAN had zero tolerance for the distribution of illegally refined products because of its sabotage effect on the economy and would work with all relevant agencies including the anti graft agency to combat the crime.
The chairman said apart from marketers’ efforts to make products available at the cheapest prices possible, they would also ensure that customers were protected from the distribution of unwholesome products which would harm their vehicles and machines.
