Monkeypox is no longer a global health emergency – WHO
diegograndi
Following a meeting of its expert advisors, the World Health Organization announced Thursday that the monkeypox outbreak would no longer be regarded as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Monkeypox virus, currently known as mpox, led to a global outbreak of cases last year, sending shares of vaccine and treatment developers such as Bavarian Nordic (OTCPK:BVNKF) and SIGA (NASDAQ:SIGA) sharply higher.
The decision finalized by the Director-General of the WHO Tedros Adhanom reflects the views of the health agency’s Emergency Committee on monkeypox, which met for the fifth time on Wednesday.
“I’m pleased to declare that the mpox is no longer a global health emergency,” Dr. Tedros remarked, adding that the virus has accounted for about 90% fewer cases over the past three months than the prior three months.
In July 2022, the WHO classified mpox as a public health emergency, the UN agency’s highest warning level, previously issued for the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola.
Monkeypox test makers: Co-Diagnostics (CODX), Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY) (OTCQX:RHHBF), Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
Vaccine developers for monkeypox: Bavarian Nordic (OTCPK:BVNKF) (OTCPK:BVNRY), Emergent BioSolutions (EBS), Chimerix (CMRX).
Developers of therapeutics for monkeypox: GeoVax Labs (GOVX), SIGA Technologies (SIGA), and Tonix Pharmaceuticals (TNXP).
Last week, the WHO declared the end of global public health emergency status for COVID-19.