The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern.
The decision comes in light of alarming statistics: over 450 lives have been lost during the initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where more than 13,700 cases have been reported this year alone.
Mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, is a highly contagious disease that transmits through close contact, including sexual relations and direct skin-to-skin interactions.
It typically presents with flu-like symptoms, skin lesions, and has a fatality rate of around 4% among confirmed cases.
Scientists are particularly concerned about the emergence of Clade Ib, a virulent new strain of the virus that presents heightened challenges for containment.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated international response, stating that the potential for further spread both within Africa and globally is “very worrying.”
The situation has escalated rapidly, with mpox spreading beyond the DRC to neighboring countries such as Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Rwanda. The declaration aims to spur international research, funding, and public health measures to curb the outbreak’s momentum.
Dr. Josie Golding from the Wellcome Trust called the WHO’s declaration a “strong signal,” echoing sentiments from experts like Dr. Boghuma Titanji of Emory University, who cautioned that the situation underscores the gravity of the crisis.
Prof. Trudie Lang, director of the Global Health Network at Oxford University, noted the declaration as “important and timely,” though she acknowledged that the emergence of a new strain introduces many unknowns.
This is not the first time mpox has prompted a WHO emergency declaration. In July 2022, a milder strain, Clade II, led to an outbreak across nearly 100 countries, including regions in Europe and Asia.
That outbreak was successfully contained through targeted vaccination efforts for vulnerable populations.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also raised alarms, with its head, Jean Kaseya, warning of a potential escalation if proactive measures are not implemented.
“We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat,” Kaseya stated, calling for immediate action to safeguard public health.
