WHO declares monkeypox a global public health emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) a global public health emergency for the second time since 2022, following a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighboring countries. This declaration, WHO's highest level of alert, will help accelerate research, funding, and international cooperation to contain the disease.

The outbreak in Congo began with an endemic strain of mpox, known as clade I. However, a new variant, clade Ib, has emerged and appears to spread more easily through close contact, including sexual contact. This variant has already reached neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, prompting WHO to take action.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of a coordinated international response to stop the outbreaks and save lives. Although mpox is generally mild, it can be fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and painful lesions on the body.

Tedros announced that WHO had released $1.5 million in contingency funds to support the response, with plans to release more soon. The agency's initial response plan requires $15 million, and WHO intends to appeal to donors for additional funding.

The outbreak in Congo, which has resulted in over 17,000 suspected cases and more than 500 deaths—primarily among children—has alarmed health officials. Africa's top public health body declared an mpox emergency earlier this week, warning that the virus was spreading at an alarming rate across the continent.

WHO's mpox emergency committee chair, Professor Dimie Ogoina, stated that all committee members unanimously agreed that the current surge of cases represents an "extraordinary event." The transmission routes in Congo require further study, and no vaccines are currently available for this outbreak, though efforts are underway to develop and distribute them.

WHO is also urging countries with stockpiles of mpox vaccines to donate them to help control the outbreak.

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