Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) has once more classified mpox as a global public health emergency, just two years after its initial declaration. The decision follows a surge in cases of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighboring countries.
In a meeting on Wednesday, an emergency committee advised WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to elevate the outbreak to a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This is the highest level of alert issued by the UN health agency and signifies a need for a coordinated international response to contain the disease.
“A coordinated international response is crucial to halt these outbreaks and protect lives,” Tedros emphasized. Mpox, typically a mild illness, can spread through close contact and is fatal in rare instances. Symptoms include flu-like conditions and skin lesions.
The current outbreak in Congo involves a new variant, clade Ib, which appears to transmit more easily than previous strains. While the disease originated in Congo, it has rapidly spread to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, prompting the WHO’s action.
Tedros expressed deep concern over the emergence and rapid spread of the new mpox variant in eastern DRC and its subsequent detection in neighboring countries. The potential for wider dissemination within Africa and beyond is a significant worry.
To address the crisis, the WHO has allocated $1.5 million in emergency funds and plans to disburse more in the coming days. A comprehensive response plan requiring an initial $15 million is in development, and the agency will seek additional funding from donors.
The African Union’s top health body previously declared mpox a continental emergency, citing an alarming increase in cases. Over 17,000 suspected cases and 500 deaths, primarily among children in Congo, have been reported this year.
Professor Dimie Ogoina, chair of WHO’s mpox emergency committee, stated that all members unanimously agreed the current surge in cases constitutes an “extraordinary event,” with Congo experiencing a record number of infections.
