Agencies: The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced that the monkeypox outbreak poses a health threat that raises serious concern, but it does not currently constitute a global health emergency.

Following a meeting of experts to assess the situation in this regard, Tedros said in a statement, "At this time, the (monkeypox outbreak) does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern," referring to the highest level of alert the World Health Organization can declare.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. Its symptoms include fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, fatigue, and a rash similar to smallpox on the hands and face.

The disease is generally endemic in West and Central Africa, and cases have been recorded in Europe since May, with an increasing number of countries monitoring it on their territories since then.

The organization was informed of more than 3,200 monkeypox cases in more than 50 countries and one death this year.

After reviewing the experts’ report, Tedros said, "The Emergency Committee expressed serious concerns about the size and speed of the current outbreak," noting many unknowns regarding the spread and data gaps.

He pointed out divergent views among the experts.

He said the report concluded that "the current situation does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern," but he emphasized that "the very convening of the committee reflects growing concerns about the global monkeypox outbreak."

Although the new outbreak may be particularly linked to gay parties in Europe, monkeypox is not believed to be a sexually transmitted disease. It can be transmitted through contact with skin blisters or saliva of an infected person, as well as through close contact and shared use of bedding or towels.

The infected individual remains contagious until all blisters have scabbed over and new skin has formed.