THE Ministry of Health states that monkeypox, also known as mpox, is no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
In a release on Thursday, it stated that an advisory was issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) after the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee, held on May 10, 2023, regarding the multi-country outbreak of mpox.
It stated, “The Committee noted the sustained decline in reported cases globally and thus WHO concurred with the advice that the event no longer constitutes a PHEIC.
“The Committee also recognised a 90 % decline in reported cases within the last three months. However, they noted that the virus continues to be transmitted within certain communities.
“While there were no confirmed cases of this virus in Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Health will remain vigilant through its surveillance programmes directed against monkeypox and all other infectious diseases to safeguard the health of the public.”
The Ministry of Health will continue to keep the public updated as necessary.
This comes almost a week after the WHO also announced the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.
