WHO declares mpox a global public health emergency

News 15-08-2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency following the emergence of a fast-spreading mpox variant in Africa. This new strain, identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries, has prompted the WHO to issue a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), its most serious level of alert.

On Wednesday, the WHO confirmed that cases of mpox have been detected in 13 African nations, and the virus is rapidly spreading. This marks the second time in two years that the WHO has issued such a warning for mpox. The alert follows an outbreak in the DRC that has extended into neighboring regions.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the emergency committee had advised him that the situation warranted a PHEIC, a recommendation he has accepted. In a press briefing, Tedros emphasized the global importance of the issue, noting WHO’s commitment to coordinating the international response, collaborating closely with affected countries to curb the virus’s transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.

The PHEIC declaration is expected to expedite research, funding, and global public health efforts under the legally binding International Health Regulations. Mpox, which can be transmitted through close personal contact, generally causes mild symptoms but can be deadly in rare instances. Symptoms include flu-like effects and pus-filled lesions on the skin.

The outbreak in the DRC initially involved the clade I strain, but a new variant, clade Ib, appears to be more transmissible. This variant has also been reported in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Earlier this week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared an mpox emergency across the continent, warning of the virus’s rapid spread. More than 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths have been reported in Africa this year alone, reflecting a 160% increase from the same period last year.

Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff for Africa CDC, revealed to Al Jazeera that a deal has been struck with the EU’s health task force and Bavarian Nordic, the mpox vaccine producer, to supply Africa with an initial 215,000 doses. Negotiations are ongoing to secure two million doses by the end of this year and ten million by 2025. Efforts to raise awareness through television, radio, and social media campaigns are also underway, particularly targeting young people, who account for 60% of cases in the DRC.

This is the second WHO alert for mpox in two years. In 2022, a different strain, clade IIb, spread globally, primarily through sexual contact among men who have sex with men. That outbreak, which caused approximately 140 deaths out of 90,000 cases, led to a WHO emergency declaration that lasted from July 2022 to May 2023.

In response to the current outbreak, the Red Cross has announced it is enhancing preparedness measures across Africa, particularly in eastern DRC. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed deep concern about the virus’s spread and pledged to play a key role in containment efforts, especially in hard-to-reach areas where the need is greatest.