ALERT: “WHO Declares Mpox Global Health Emergency”

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) increased the urgency of its response to the mpox outbreak in Africa, classifying it as a global public health emergency, which is the most severe alert level the organization can issue. This decision was announced amid growing concerns over the outbreak’s escalation.

To assess the outbreak, the WHO convened a panel of experts who delivered their findings to the organization’s chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that, in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice,” Tedros stated during a news briefing.

He emphasized the global importance of the situation and assured that the WHO is mobilizing to support the affected nations closely, aiming to halt the spread, offer treatment, and save lives.

This declaration followed a similar announcement by the African Union’s health agency in response to the expanding crisis. The virus, previously known as monkeypox, has seen a dramatic increase in cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) compared to the previous year, with Tedros noting a particular concern over the spread of the clade 1b variant, largely through sexual networks, and its appearance in countries around the DRC that hadn’t reported mpox before.

The declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is the WHO’s most critical warning, activating international emergency responses under the binding International Health Regulations.

This is the second such declaration concerning mpox, focusing this time on a different, more lethal strain of the virus. The earlier global outbreak, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men due to the clade 2b subclade, has receded, resulting in about 140 deaths from roughly 90,000 cases. The current concern revolves around clade 1b, known for causing more severe illness and a higher rate of fatality.

Mpox, an infectious condition spread from animals to humans and between humans through close contact, triggers fever, muscle pain, and distinctive large skin lesions. The WHO recommends two vaccines for prevention.

The disease and the international response underscore the ongoing challenges in diagnostics, public health response, treatment, and vaccination, particularly in resource-limited settings like the DRC and its neighboring countries, despite global resources.

The Red Cross is beefing up its readiness across Africa, with a focus on the most affected regions, underlining the critical role of international cooperation and support in containing the outbreak.