BASHH statement in response to World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring monkeypox global health emergency.

BASHH STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) DECLARING MONKEYPOX GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has today declared the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency, following a worldwide increase in cases. The current risk level is assessed as moderate globally and high in Europe.

This development underlines the critical need to ensure a robust and effectively resourced response to the public health challenge in the UK.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) has worked with key partners since the outbreak began in the UK.  At the end of last week, there were around 2000 cases diagnosed in the UK, the majority in London and the majority amongst Gay and Bisexual Men who have sex with men (GBMSM).  

CALL TO ACTION

BASHH will redouble its efforts with partners to help affected communities. BASHH urges the governments of all four UK nations to immediately resource sexual health services to tackle this recognised public health challenge and ensure effective patient care, appropriate vaccination roll out to at risk people, and research funding.