In a move that has sent shockwaves around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China a global health emergency.
This declaration, made by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus at a press conference in Geneva, is a clear indication that the situation is being taken extremely seriously.
At the heart of this declaration is the WHO’s emergency committee on the epidemic, which met on Thursday afternoon and recommended designating the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The decision was almost unanimous, with Didier Houssin, chair of the emergency committee, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
According to Tedros, it’s not just about what’s happening in China, but about the potential for the virus to spread to other countries with weaker health systems.
“Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems and which are ill-prepared to deal with it,” he said.
This concern is echoed by the WHO’s recommendations, which include accelerating the development of vaccines and drugs, as well as combatting the spread of misinformation.
It’s worth noting that this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China’s ability to control the outbreak.
On the contrary, the WHO continues to have confidence in China’s capacity to manage the situation.
However, the global health community is clearly taking a cautious approach, recognizing that the situation has the potential to escalate quickly.
BY Daniel Bampoe