WHO: Global monkeypox cases have surpassed 50,000

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says more than 50,000 monkeypox cases have been recorded globally.

According to the organisation’s monkeypox dashboard, 50,496 cases and 16 deaths have been reported this year from 101 member countries.

Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said the virus is slowing in parts of Europe and the United States, adding that the decline in new infections proved the outbreak could be brought to a halt.

“In the Americas, which accounts for more than half of reported cases, several countries continue to see increasing numbers of infections, although it is encouraging to see a sustained downward trend in Canada,” he said on Thursday.

“Some European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, are also seeing a clear slowing of the outbreak, demonstrating the effectiveness of public health interventions and community engagement to track infections and prevent transmission.

“These signs confirm what we have said consistently since the beginning: that with the right measures, this is an outbreak that can be stopped.

“But it won’t just happen. Eliminating monkeypox needs three things: the evidence that it’s possible, which we are now beginning to see; political will and commitment; and the implementation of the public health measures in the communities that need them most.

“We might be living with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. But we don’t have to live with monkeypox. WHO will continue to support all countries to stop this outbreak and eliminate this virus.”

Meanwhile, the United States says it has possibly recorded its first monkeypox death in Texas.

Texas health officials announced in a statement on Tuesday that it has confirmed the first death of a person diagnosed with monkeypox.

The officials said the patient was an adult resident of Harris County who was severely immunocompromised.

“The case is under investigation to determine what role monkeypox played in the death,” the statement reads.