WHO Elevates Mpox Outbreak to Global Health Emergency Amid Rising Cases

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that the increase of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency.

An emergency committee met to advise Tedros on whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

PHEIC status is WHO’s highest level of alert and aims to accelerate research, funding and international public health action and cooperation to contain the disease.

“It’s clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,”

“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” Tedros said.

This PHEIC determination is the second in two years relating to mpox.

Caused by an Orthopoxvirus, mpox was first detected in humans in 1970, in the DRC. The disease is considered endemic to countries in Central and West Africa.

The virus typically causes pox-like disease, which includes a rash with raised bumps or blisters on the skin. The bumps are often filled with fluid or pus and can eventually crust over and heal.

Mpox is similar to the now eradicated smallpox, and and other poxviruses like cowpox and vaccinia.