The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China a global health emergency. This declaration was made by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus at a press conference in Geneva, following a recommendation by the organization’s emergency committee.
The committee’s decision was “almost unanimous,” according to Didier Houssin, chair of the emergency committee. Tedros emphasized that the main reason for this declaration is not the situation in China, but rather the potential for the virus to spread to 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,” Tedros said. He also reassured that this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China, but rather a testament to WHO’s confidence in China’s capacity to control the outbreak.
To combat the outbreak, the emergency committee has recommended several measures, including:
- Accelerating vaccine and drug development: To quickly develop effective treatments and prevention measures.
- Combating misinformation: To prevent the spread of false information that could exacerbate the situation.
- Enhancing global preparedness: To ensure that all countries are prepared to respond to potential cases.
This is the sixth time WHO has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) since the designation was introduced 15 years ago
