WHO raises global alarm over worsening Mpox outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Mpox outbreak in Africa a global public health emergency, marking its highest level of alert. The decision comes in response to a sharp increase in cases, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been reported this year alone. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the urgent need for a coordinated international response to prevent the virus’s further spread both within Africa and globally.
Understanding Mpox: Symptoms, transmission, and impact
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection first identified in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC. The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or close physical contact with an infected person. Symptoms typically include fever, muscle aches, and distinctive boil-like skin lesions. The recent surge in Mpox cases has primarily affected gay and bisexual men, raising concerns about the virus’s changing dynamics and the potential for broader transmission.
The current outbreak is particularly alarming due to the emergence of a new clade of the Mpox virus in eastern DRC, which has begun spreading to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—nations that had not previously reported Mpox cases. Dr. Tedros warned that the situation in Africa might represent only “the tip of the iceberg,” highlighting the challenges posed by limited surveillance and the potential for undetected cases.
Global implications and WHO’s call for action
WHO’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) underscores the severity of the Mpox outbreak. A PHEIC is the highest level of alert under the International Health Regulations, legally binding for 196 countries. This declaration follows the African Union’s own public health emergency declaration, reflecting the critical need for a unified global response.
Mitigation and prevention strategies
In response to the outbreak, WHO has recommended two vaccines to prevent the spread of Mpox. The vaccines are particularly important in light of the virus’s transmission through sexual networks and close physical contact. WHO officials, including Maria Van Kerkhove, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, emphasized that with concerted global effort, the transmission of Mpox can be halted.
Historical context and future outlook
The WHO’s declaration is only the seventh such alert since 2009, following emergencies for H1N1 swine flu, poliovirus, Ebola, Zika virus, COVID-19, and a previous Mpox outbreak. The rapid spread of Mpox, coupled with its potential to reach beyond Africa, necessitates immediate and sustained international efforts to control the outbreak and prevent further loss of life.
