The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), following a sharp increase in cases reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African nations. This declaration aligns with a similar announcement made yesterday by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which identified the outbreak as a public health emergency of regional security.
Mpox, a disease that has been reported in the DRC for over a decade, has seen a worrying escalation in cases. Last year, the number of reported cases surged, and this year, the situation has deteriorated further, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths already recorded. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that the ongoing spread of a new strain of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighboring countries, and the potential for wider transmission within Africa and beyond, necessitated the urgent declaration.
“The detection and rapid spread of this new strain of mpox in the DRC and neighboring countries is very worrying,” Dr. Tedros stated. “This situation clearly requires a coordinated international response to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”
The WHO’s Emergency Committee convened last week to evaluate the situation, ultimately advising Dr. Tedros to declare the PHEIC. The Committee’s advice was based on the rapid spread of the disease, its emergence in countries previously unaffected, and the potential for further spread across Africa and globally.
In response to the emergency, WHO is ramping up its efforts on the ground in affected countries. The organization is working closely with regional partners, including Africa CDC, NGOs, civil society, and local governments, to control the outbreak. This collaboration includes providing machinery for analyzing large samples, supporting laboratories to sequence viral samples, aiding in case investigation and contact tracing, and engaging in risk communication and community engagement.
Additionally, WHO is actively supporting countries in accessing vaccines and developing strategies for their distribution. To fund these critical activities, WHO has developed a regional response plan requiring an initial $15 million USD. So far, $1.5 million has been released from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies, with more expected to be released in the coming days.
“We are committed to coordinating the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries and leveraging our on-ground presence to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives,” Dr. Tedros affirmed.
The declaration of mpox as a PHEIC marks the highest level of alarm under international health law and underscores the urgency of the situation. WHO’s coordinated global response will be crucial in containing the outbreak and preventing further spread, both within Africa and beyond.