WHO Declares Global Health Emergency for Mpox Amid Surge in Cases Across Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has once again declared mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global health emergency following a significant surge in cases across Africa. This marks the second time the WHO has issued such a declaration for the virus, which initially triggered a global health emergency in 2022 due to its rapid spread and the serious symptoms it causes, including rashes, fevers, and muscle aches.

Despite a decline in global cases after the initial outbreak, the virus has resurfaced with greater intensity, particularly in Africa, where it is now affecting several countries that had previously been spared. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has experienced a sharp rise in infections, and the virus has now spread to previously unaffected countries, with children being particularly vulnerable.

On August 13, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a public health emergency of continental security, a first for the organization. This was followed by a WHO panel of experts affirming the global severity of the situation. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus officially declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on August 14, underscoring the need for a coordinated global response to contain the virus and prevent further loss of life.

Why Has Mpox Been Declared a Global Emergency Again?

The resurgence of mpox has been particularly alarming in Africa, where the virus has now spread to at least 13 countries, according to the Africa CDC. The DRC, which has seen a steady increase in cases over the past decade, has reported a significant spike in infections and deaths in 2023 and 2024. More than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths have been recorded across Africa this year, with children and individuals with weakened immune systems, particularly those living with HIV, being disproportionately affected.

A new variant of the virus, known as clade Ib, has emerged in the DRC and spread to four neighboring countries. This variant appears to be more severe and possibly more transmissible than clade II, which was responsible for the 2022 outbreak. Unlike the 2022 outbreak, which primarily affected men who have sex with men, clade Ib is spreading through heterosexual contact and poses a heightened risk to pregnant women and their babies.

The current outbreak has also seen a troubling rise in cases among children. In the DRC, children aged 15 and younger account for two-thirds of the reported cases this year, with 87 percent of the deaths occurring within this age group. The virus has begun to spread within communities in Burundi and the DRC, while other countries have so far reported isolated cases.

The Significance of Declaring Mpox a Public Health Emergency

The WHO’s declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern will mobilize resources and attention towards containing the outbreak. This includes the deployment of vaccines and treatments to protect vulnerable populations in affected countries. However, supplies of both vaccines and treatments are limited, and the full extent of the outbreak remains unclear, highlighting the need for increased surveillance.

The WHO has requested $15 million from its emergency fund to bolster surveillance and countermeasures, and it is also seeking vaccine donations from other countries. Japan has already pledged to donate its version of the mpox vaccine, while Congo and Nigeria are hopeful that they will receive enough vaccine supplies this fall to begin distribution. Other African countries are still waiting for similar support.

In addition to medical interventions, effective communication with affected communities will be crucial in preventing the spread of the virus. The 2022 mpox outbreak demonstrated that raising awareness and educating communities on preventive measures can be highly effective in containing the virus.

Can the Outbreak Be Stopped?

While it is possible to contain the mpox outbreak, doing so will require a concerted global effort. Scientists are still working to understand key aspects of the virus, including its animal reservoirs and the differences in severity and transmissibility between the circulating clades.

One thing is certain: the international community can no longer afford to overlook the spread of mpox in Africa. As Dimie Ogoina, an infectious disease physician and chair of the WHO’s emergency committee, noted, “Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.”