US calls on world community to combat spread of monkeypox

The decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the outbreak of monkeypox a public health emergency is a call to action for the world community, said Raj Punjabi, the White House coordinator on pandemic issues.

"A coordinated international response is needed to stop the spread of monkeypox, protect communities at greatest risk of contracting the disease, and combat the current outbreak," the official said in a statement released by the White House, Interfax reports.

It says the Biden administration has "implemented a robust and comprehensive strategy to combat monkey pox." It includes expanding the procurement, distribution and production of vaccines, access to testing and treatment, as well as communication with communities most at risk of contracting the virus.

"But, it's not enough. As stated by the Health Ministry, we must step up our work to aggressively combat this virus and protect communities in the United States," Panjabi stressed.