WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent global surge in mpox cases, now spanning 116 countries, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This marks the second PHEIC declaration related to mpox in two years.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the declaration following advice from the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee. This committee, composed of independent experts, reviewed data indicating the rapid spread of mpox, particularly the clade 1b strain in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries. The committee’s findings highlighted the need for an urgent and coordinated international response.

Professor Dimie Ogoina, Chair of the IHR Emergency Committee, emphasized the global urgency of the situation, noting, “The current upsurge of mpox in parts of Africa is an emergency, not only for Africa but for the entire globe. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.”

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic disease caused by the Orthopoxvirus, which also includes smallpox. It primarily spreads through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids of an infected person. Though less transmissible than Covid-19, mpox can still pose significant health risks.

Last year, the DRC experienced a severe outbreak with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. The recent spread of the clade 1b strain through sexual transmission has also been detected in neighboring countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

The WHO is expediting efforts to improve vaccine access, particularly in lower-income countries. Existing smallpox vaccines, including MVA-BN, LC16, and OrthopoxVac, offer protection against mpox. Additionally, tecovirimat, an antiviral developed for smallpox, has been approved under exceptional circumstances for treating mpox.

Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases, highlights that while mpox poses significant health challenges, its transmission requires close contact, making it somewhat easier to control compared to airborne diseases like Covid-19. Nevertheless, preventive measures and timely medical care remain crucial.