WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Global Health Emergency Amid Rising Cases in Africa

Nov 22, 2024, 06:30 PM

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The decision, supported by the WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) Emergency Committee, comes amidst a rising number of cases and the continuing geographic spread of the disease. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a DNA virus related to smallpox. The outbreak has significantly impacted Africa, with Burundi being the second most affected country, reporting 2,003 confirmed cases as of November 17, 2024. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, medics have observed a reduction in infections following the rollout of vaccines. However, the WHO cautions that new cases are still emerging. The emergence of a new mpox clade Ib in California and Angola has further complicated the situation. As of this year, Africa has recorded approximately 46,000 suspected cases, 11,000 confirmed cases, and 1,100 deaths. A childhood vaccine has also been introduced to combat the virus.