The World Health Organization (WHO), an entity as part of the world’s largest intergovernmental organization, has raised the alert level for the recent monkeypox outbreak, declaring a global public health emergency.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, the outbreak has spread quickly around the globe with little understanding of its nature and causes.
Reports have surfaced indicating more than 16,000 cases across more than 70 countries throughout this year.
No reports have linked monkeypox symptoms to psychopathology or severe mental health disorders thus far.
Future research into the nature of the disease is strongly warranted.
“WHO is collaborating with health authorities to prevent further spread of the disease,” a WHO web release states.
“We are issuing guidance to help countries on surveillance, laboratory work, clinical care, infection prevention and control, as well as risk communication and community engagement to inform communities at risk and the broader general public about monkeypox and how to keep safe.”