Almost 14,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox have now been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) this year from more than 70 countries and territories, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO, said on Wednesday.  

"So far, five deaths have been reported, all in Africa. Most cases continue to be reported from Europe, primarily among men who have sex with men," he said. 

On Thursday, the WHO will convene the second meeting of a committee that will decide whether the outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern, its highest level of alert. 

"Regardless of the committee's recommendation, the WHO will continue to do everything we can to support countries to stop transmission and save lives," Tedros said.

(With input from Reuters)