The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other parts of Africa a global health emergency.
This declaration was made by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during an emergency meeting held virtually on August 14, 2024.
After consulting with experts, the committee agreed that the surge in mpox cases warranted a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), highlighting the potential for the virus to spread further across African nations and possibly beyond the continent.
Dr. Tedros expressed serious concern over the emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries.
“The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying. It’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” stated Dr Tedros.
A PHEIC is a formal declaration by the WHO that identifies an extraordinary event posing a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease, requiring a coordinated global response. This declaration is particularly relevant when situations arise that are serious, sudden, unusual, or unexpected, necessitating immediate international action.
Professor Dimie Ogoina, Chair of the expert committee, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“The current upsurge of mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency not only for Africa but for the entire globe. Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself,” stated Prof. Ogoina.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that can spread between people and from infected animals. It is easily transmitted through close contact, including touching, kissing, or sexual activity, as well as through contaminated materials such as sheets, clothing, and needles. Symptoms of the disease include fever, a painful rash, headache, muscle and back pain, low energy, and enlarged lymph nodes.
