WHO Declares Mpox in Africa a Global Health Emergency

Geneva, The Gulf Observer: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), according to a report by NHC. This declaration follows the rapid spread of the disease, which has resulted in at least 450 deaths during the initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has now extended across central and east Africa.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a highly contagious disease transmitted through close contact, including sexual contact, skin-to-skin interactions, and close-range breathing. It causes flu-like symptoms, skin lesions, and can be fatal, with a mortality rate of approximately four in 100 cases. The current outbreak is of particular concern due to the emergence of a new, more deadly variant of the virus.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concern over the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond, stating, “The potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying. A coordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak and save lives.”

The outbreak is primarily driven by Clade 1, a more severe strain of mpox that has a fatality rate of up to 10% in previous outbreaks. The virus underwent a significant mutation in September last year, resulting in the Clade 1b variant, which has since been labeled “the most dangerous yet” by experts. Since the start of 2024, the DRC has reported over 13,700 cases and at least 450 deaths.

In addition to the DRC, the outbreak has spread to other African countries, including Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Rwanda. The WHO’s declaration is expected to prompt accelerated research, funding, and international public health measures to contain the outbreak.

Dr. Josie Golding from the Wellcome Trust described the WHO’s declaration as a “strong signal,” while Dr. Boghuma Titanji of Emory University noted that the decision “underscores the gravity of the crisis.” Professor Trudie Lang, director of the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford, emphasized the importance and timeliness of the declaration, while also highlighting the many unknowns associated with the new variant.

This is the second time mpox has been declared a public health emergency. The previous emergency, declared in July 2022, involved the milder Clade 2 strain, which spread to nearly 100 countries, resulting in over 87,000 cases and 140 deaths. That outbreak, largely concentrated among men who have sex with men, was eventually brought under control through targeted vaccination efforts.

On Tuesday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also declared the current outbreak a public health emergency. The organization’s head, Jean Kaseya, emphasized the urgent need for immediate action, warning that without swift intervention, the outbreak could spiral out of control.

“We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat,” Kaseya urged, echoing the global call for coordinated action against this escalating health crisis.