World Health Organization (WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday called an "emergency" meeting of international experts amidst growing worries over the mpox (monkeypox), virus, AFP reported.

As the monkeys spread beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo, the WHO emergency committee will meet as soon as possible to determine whether the new mpox outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, the WHO chief said. A public health emergency of international concern is the highest alert that can be raised by WHO and allows the Director General of WHO to take urgent action under the International Health Regulations.

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted from infected animals to humans, which can also be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact. It was first detected in humans in 1970 in the Congo, causing fever, muscle pain, and widespread abscess-like skin lesions.

In May 2022, there was a sharp increase in cases of mpox worldwide, mainly among gay and bisexual men. The outbreak prompted the WHO to declare an international public health emergency, from July 2022 to May 2023.

The epidemic has now largely subsided.