The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, in response to a severe outbreak that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has now spread to neighboring countries. This declaration, known as a "public health emergency of international concern" (PHEIC), is the WHO's highest level of alert and aims to enhance international efforts to contain the disease, boost research, and secure funding.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that typically spreads through close contact, including sexual contact. The disease is generally mild, presenting with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body, but it can be fatal in rare cases. The current outbreak has been exacerbated by the emergence of a new variant, clade Ib, which appears to transmit more easily through routine close contact compared to previous strains.
The outbreak in the DRC began with the clade I strain but has since evolved to include clade Ib. This variant has spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported over 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths across the continent so far this year, marking a 160% increase in cases compared to the same period last year. Mpox cases have been reported in 13 countries in Africa, prompting the declaration of a "public health emergency of continental concern."
Earlier this week, Africa's top public health body had already warned of an alarming increase in pox cases, leading to their own emergency declaration for the continent. The previous global outbreak of Mpox, linked to the clade IIb virus, began in 2022 and primarily spread through sexual contact among men who have sex with men. This led the WHO to issue a global health emergency, which was lifted 10 months later.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to address the ongoing outbreak and prevent further spread. "It's clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives," he said.
The renewed global alert underscores the urgency of addressing the outbreak and mobilizing resources to combat Mpox, highlighting the critical need for continued vigilance and collaboration in public health efforts.
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