The WHO Director-General declares the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared the recent surge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African countries a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005). This decision follows the advice of an IHR Emergency Committee, composed of independent experts, who reviewed data from WHO and affected nations, expressing concern over the potential for further spread across Africa and beyond.
Dr. Tedros highlighted the emergence of a new mpox clade, its rapid expansion in eastern DRC, and the increasing cases in neighboring countries as particularly alarming. He emphasized the necessity of a coordinated international response to control these outbreaks and save lives. In line with the Committee’s recommendations, Dr. Tedros will issue temporary guidance to countries.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, noted ongoing efforts in collaboration with local communities and governments to curb the spread of mpox. She stressed that WHO is scaling up international action to support countries in ending these outbreaks.
Committee Chair Professor Dimie Ogoina remarked that the current upsurge, coupled with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of mpox, is a global emergency. He called for decisive action to prevent a repeat of the 2022 global outbreak, which originated in Africa but was neglected there before spreading worldwide.
This marks the second PHEIC declaration related to mpox in two years. Mpox, caused by an Orthopoxvirus, was first identified in humans in the DRC in 1970 and is considered endemic in central and west Africa. A previous multi-country mpox outbreak was declared a PHEIC in July 2022, driven by sexual transmission in regions previously unaffected by the virus. That PHEIC ended in May 2023 following a sustained decline in cases.
In the DRC, mpox has been reported for over a decade, with cases increasing annually. Last year saw a significant rise in cases, and this year’s total has already surpassed last year’s, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. The emergence of the new clade 1b strain, primarily spreading through sexual networks, has led to outbreaks in neighboring countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which had not previously reported mpox.
WHO recommends two vaccines for mpox, approved by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization and national regulatory authorities, including those in Nigeria and the DRC. Last week, Dr. Tedros initiated the Emergency Use Listing process to expedite vaccine access for lower-income countries. WHO is coordinating with partners to ensure equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other tools.
WHO estimates an initial funding requirement of $15 million for surveillance, preparedness, and response activities. To support the immediate scale-up, WHO has released $1.45 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies, with potential for additional funding in the coming days. The Organization urges donors to fully support the mpox response.
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