Global Health on High Alert: WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Severe Threat

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the ongoing outbreak of monkeypox (mpox) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other parts of Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This declaration marks the highest level of alarm under international health law, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a coordinated global response.

Mpox has been a growing concern in the DRC for over a decade, with the number of cases increasing steadily each year. Last year saw a significant rise in reported cases, but this year has already surpassed those numbers with more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported. The situation has become increasingly dire, particularly with the detection and rapid spread of a new clade in eastern DRC and its emergence in neighboring countries that had not previously reported cases.

The Emergency Committee convened by WHO evaluated the upsurge and advised that the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. Accepting this advice, Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for an urgent and coordinated international response to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread within Africa and beyond.

In addition to the outbreak in the DRC, other clades of mpox have been reported in different parts of Africa, further highlighting the necessity of a unified global effort. WHO is actively working on the ground in affected countries through its country and regional offices, in collaboration with partners such as the Africa CDC, NGOs, and civil society organizations.

To combat the outbreak, critical actions are being taken, including providing machines to analyze blood samples and confirm cases, supporting laboratories in sequencing viral samples, and aiding in case investigation and contact tracing. The organization is also engaged in risk communication and community engagement, training health workers, and supporting clinicians in providing appropriate care. Additionally, efforts are underway to assist countries in accessing vaccines and developing strategies for effective distribution.

To fund these efforts, a regional response plan has been developed, requiring an initial $15 million, of which $1.5 million has already been released from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies. Dr. Tedros urged donors to contribute to funding the rest of the response plan, emphasizing WHO’s commitment to coordinating the global response in the days and weeks ahead. The organization plans to work closely with affected countries to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.

As the world faces this growing threat, the declaration of a PHEIC underscores the critical importance of international cooperation in addressing the mpox outbreak and preventing it from becoming a global crisis.