PeakNews Online
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighboring countries.
The decision was made after an emergency committee meeting on Wednesday, where experts advised WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that the outbreak constitutes a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC). This designation is WHO’s highest level of alert, designed to accelerate research, funding, and international cooperation to contain the disease.
“It’s clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” Tedros said.
Mpox, which can spread through close contact, typically causes mild flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body, though it can be fatal in rare cases. The current outbreak in Congo began with the spread of an endemic strain known as clade I. However, a new variant, clade Ib, which spreads more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact, has now emerged.
The clade Ib variant has extended beyond Congo’s borders, affecting neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. This rapid spread prompted WHO’s emergency action.
“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” Tedros added.
In response, WHO has released $1.5 million in contingency funds and plans to release more in the coming days. The organization’s response plan will require an initial $15 million, and WHO intends to appeal to donors for additional funding.
Earlier this week, Africa’s top public health body declared an mpox emergency for the continent, warning that the infection is spreading at an alarming rate. This year, there have been over 17,000 suspected cases and more than 500 deaths, primarily among children in Congo.
Professor Dimie Ogoina, chair of WHO’s mpox emergency committee, confirmed that all members unanimously agreed that the current surge in cases represents an “extraordinary event,” with Congo experiencing a record number of cases.
While vaccines and behavioral changes helped curb the spread of a different mpox strain during the 2022 global outbreak, the transmission routes of the current strain in Congo need further study. WHO noted that no vaccines are currently available, though efforts are underway to develop and distribute them. The agency has also appealed to countries with vaccine stockpiles to donate doses.
more than 500 deaths this year, mainly among children in Congo.
Professor Dimie Ogoina, chair of WHO’s mpox emergency committee, said all members unanimously agreed that the current upsurge of cases is an “extraordinary event,” with a record number of cases in Congo.
Vaccines and behaviour change helped stop the spread when a different strain of mpox spread globally, primarily among men who have sex with men, and WHO declared an emergency in 2022.
In Congo, the transmission routes need further study, WHO said. No vaccines are yet available, although efforts are underway to change that and work out who best to target. The agency also appealed to countries with stockpiles to donate shots.
