New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday, once again classified Mpox (monkeypox) as a global public health emergency. There has been a surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the virus has spread to neighbouring countries.
Mpox is a viral infection typically spread through close contact. While usually mild, it can be fatal in rare instances. Symptoms include flu-like illness and a rash of pus-filled lesions.
The WHO’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is its highest level of alert. Designating a disease outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC), the WHO can expedite research, funding, and global public health efforts to control and contain the disease.
This is the second time in three years that the WHO has declared an Mpox epidemic a global emergency. It was earlier done so in July 2022 when the outbreak impacted nearly 100,000 people, primarily gay and bisexual men, in 116 countries and resulted in approximately 200 deaths.
The current threat is more severe. The number of cases has skyrocketed this year with the Democratic Republic of Congo alone having reported over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths. Women and children under 15 are among those most at risk, prompting the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to also declare an Mpox emergency, according to news agencies.
Earlier this week, Africa’s leading public health authority declared an Mpox emergency for the continent, citing the rapid spread of the viral infection. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 17,000 suspected Mpox cases and more than 500 deaths in Africa this year, marking a 160% increase in cases compared to the same period last year. Thirteen countries across the continent have reported cases.
“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of Mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported Mpox and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s Director-General.