The World Health Organization says the expanding monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries is an “extraordinary” situation that qualifies as a global emergency.
A global emergency is the WHO’s highest level of alert, but the designation does not necessarily mean a disease is particularly transmissible or lethal.
The Public Health Agency of Canada, meanwhile, has confirmed that 681 monkeypox cases have been reported across five provinces as of Saturday, including Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. They also say that the number of cases in Canada is double what it was at the beginning of the month.