Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

HHS.gov
  • About HHS
  • Programs & Services
  • Grants & Contracts
  • Laws & Regulations

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. News
  4. Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on WHO Decision to Declare Monkeypox a Global Health Emergency
  • News
  • Blog
  • HHS Live
  • Podcasts
  • Media Guidelines for HHS Employees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2022
Contact: HHS Press Office
202-690-6343
media@hhs.gov

Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on WHO Decision to Declare Monkeypox a Global Health Emergency

Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the following statement in response to the World Health Organization’s decision to declare monkeypox a global health emergency:

“Today’s declaration by the World Health Organization is a call to action for the global health community. Monkeypox has spread around the world and we will continue to take decisive action to tackle it both here in the U.S. and, working in concert with our partners abroad, globally.

“Since the first U.S. case of monkeypox was confirmed on May 18, the Biden-Harris Administration has acted swiftly to make vaccines, testing, and treatments available to people in need. We are determined to accelerate our response in the days ahead.”

###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.
Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.
Last revised: July 23, 2022

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up

Subscribe to RSS

Receive latest updates

Subscribe to our RSS

Related News Releases

  • HHS Deploys Public Health Service Officers to Hawaii

  • HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Declares Public Health Emergency for Georgia

  • HHS Announces Details of Partnership with Regeneron to Develop Life-Saving Monoclonal Antibodies

Related Blog Posts

  • HHS Blog thumbnail

    Climate-Related Hazards and the Importance of Resiliency

Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.

Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
Content last reviewed July 23, 2022
Back to top
  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Viewers & Players
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​