DOH: World is on road to recovery as WHO lifts health emergency for monkeypox

Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said the move of the World Health Organization to lift the Public Health Emergency of International Concern on monkeypox shows that the world is “on its road to recovery” over the virus.

On Thursday, the WHO lifted the public health emergency of international concern status for monkeypox, which was declared in July 2022.

“This signifies that the world is on its road to recovery, providing a global opportunity to effectively respond to future pandemics as well,” the DOH said in a statement.

However, the DOH stressed that “it is still important to stay alert of its possible resurgence.”

“Rest assured that the DOH will remain vigilant and continue to guarantee the public that the Philippines is capable of containing the monkeypox virus in the country,” the agency further said.

The Philippines has recorded four confirmed cases of monkeypox, all of  the virus patients have since recovered.

READ: DOH detects 4th case of monkeypox in PH

Despite this, the DOH did not declare its own public health emergency for the virus.

JPV