It says the global risk is "moderate" - but the threat in Europe is high
The World Health Organisation has stepped up its response to the Monkeypox outbreak by declaring a global health emergency.
It says the global risk is "moderate" - but the threat in Europe is high.
The classification is the highest alert that the WHO can issue and follows a worldwide upsurge in cases.
However, experts here say it won't have an economic impact - or require the re-introduction of social restrictions.
Professor Sam McConkey from the RCSI says the declaration is to allow governments to get ahead of the situation.
"The fact that the WHO declared this public health emergency...helps governments respond and to develop funding strategies and plans for implementing a way to prevent its spread.
"They also give huge numbers of technical recommendations about how to stop its spread and how to do that in a way that doesn't cause stigma and discrimination against any groups."
