Medical staff treat COVID-19 patients at a hospital on the outskirts of Siliguri, India. (Documentary photo: AFP/VNA)

Speaking to German media, Ghebreyesus said that the world is still facing a very difficult reality, which is that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and monkeypox is still spreading. 

Uganda is now facing a resurgence of the Ebola virus. 27 countries have reported cholera outbreaks, 11 of which have never had cholera before.

According Ghebreyesus, non-communicable diseases such as mental health disorders are also becoming a major concern. 

Ghebreyesus said the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. The virus continues to spread and may never be completely eradicated. He said that as long as the world can manage the disease and limit the number of deaths, people can live with it. 

New variants are still being discovered and the number of new cases is starting to increase again in some countries.