Geneva: WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared the recent surge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African countries a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This decision follows the advice of an independent expert committee, which highlighted the potential for the outbreak to spread beyond Africa.
“The emergence of a new clade of mpox and its rapid spread in eastern DRC and neighboring countries are very worrying. A coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” Dr. Tedros stated.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, emphasized ongoing efforts to curb the virus, noting the need for expanded international support. Committee Chair Professor Dimie Ogoina stressed the urgency of decisive action to prevent a repeat of the global mpox outbreak of 2022.
The current mpox strain, clade 1b, has been spreading rapidly through sexual networks in the DRC and has been detected in four neighboring countries—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Over 100 cases have been confirmed in these regions, with experts warning that the actual number of cases may be higher.
WHO is coordinating vaccine donations and working to ensure equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. The organization has released $1.45 million from its emergency fund and is appealing for additional donor support to meet an anticipated $15 million funding requirement for the response.
Mpox: An overview
Mpox is a viral infection affecting both humans and animals, similar to smallpox but generally less severe. Originally known as “monkeypox,” the name was changed to reduce stigma.
How Mpox spreads
Mpox primarily spreads through:
- Close Contact: Skin-to-skin contact, direct exposure to body fluids (such as respiratory droplets, sores, or bodily fluids), or contact with contaminated items like clothing or bedding.
- Respiratory Droplets: Larger droplets spread through prolonged face-to-face contact.
- Infected Animals: Mpox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread between animals and humans, though this is less common. Transmission can occur through bites, scratches, or handling infected animals or their products (meat, fur).
It’s important to note that mpox does not spread as easily as diseases like COVID-19; close, prolonged contact is usually necessary for transmission.
HEALTH | Air Pollution: Silent threat affecting our children