The Lancet "Monkeypox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on July 23, 2022. This is the seventh declaration of a PHEIC since 2005. The PHEIC is governed by the International Health Regulations (IHR). A PHEIC should be declared if a disease outbreak is an extraordinary event; when it constitutes a public health risk to other states through international spread; and when a coordinated international response is potentially required."