WHO Declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency Amid Rising Concerns
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern. This decision follows a deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the highly contagious disease—previously known as monkeypox—has claimed the lives of at least 450 people.
The disease, which has rapidly spread across central and eastern Africa, has raised alarms among scientists due to the emergence of a new variant that is spreading quickly and has a high fatality rate. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern, stating that the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is “very worrying.”
“A coordinated international effort is crucial to halt this outbreak and save lives,” Ghebreyesus emphasized.
Mpox spreads through close contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and even close-range conversations or breathing near an infected person. The disease causes symptoms similar to the flu, as well as skin lesions, and can be deadly, with four out of every 100 cases resulting in death.
Understanding Mpox: Transmission and Strains
Mpox exists in two main types: Clade 1 and Clade 2. While the 2022 public health emergency was triggered by the relatively mild Clade 2 strain, this new crisis is driven by the far deadlier Clade 1 strain. Historically, Clade 1 has caused fatalities in up to 10% of those infected during previous outbreaks.
A significant change occurred in the virus around September last year when mutations led to the emergence of Clade 1b, a more virulent offshoot. Scientists have labeled this new variant “the most dangerous yet” due to its rapid spread.
Since the beginning of this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 13,700 cases of mpox, with at least 450 deaths. The disease has since been detected in neighboring African countries such as Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Rwanda.
Urgent Global Response Needed
The WHO’s declaration is expected to expedite research, secure funding, and push for other international public health measures. Dr. Josie Golding of the Wellcome Trust hailed the announcement as a “strong signal,” while Dr. Boghuma Titanji from Emory University emphasized that the declaration “underscores the gravity of the crisis.”
Professor Trudie Lang, Director of the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford, agreed that the declaration was “important and timely” but stressed that the new strain presents “many unknowns that need to be addressed.”
In July 2022, the less severe Clade 2 strain of mpox spread to nearly 100 countries, including several in Europe and Asia. That outbreak resulted in over 87,000 cases and 140 deaths, according to WHO data. Although mpox can infect anyone, the 2022 outbreak was primarily concentrated among men who have sex with men. Targeted vaccination campaigns were instrumental in bringing that outbreak under control.
Earlier this week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also declared a public health emergency. Jean Kaseya, the head of the organization, warned that the current outbreak could spiral out of control without immediate intervention.
“We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat,” Kaseya urged.
