The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent surge of mpox cases in Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The decision, announced by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, follows a significant increase in mpox infections, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries.
The declaration was made based on the advice of an Independent Emergency Committee, which reviewed data from WHO and affected countries. The Committee highlighted the potential for the disease to spread beyond Africa, underscoring the urgency for a coordinated global response.
Dr. Tedros expressed deep concern over the rapid spread of a new mpox clade in eastern DRC and the appearance of cases in several neighboring countries. “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying,” he said. “On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” added Tedros.
Mpox on the rise: A regional and global threat
Mpox, historically confined to central and West Africa, has seen a worrying upsurge in the DRC, where the virus has been endemic for over a decade. According to reports, the number of reported cases has been steadily increasing, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths already reported this year—a significant rise from the previous year.
The emergence of a new strain, Clade 1b, which is spreading predominantly through sexual contact, has further complicated the situation. This strain has not only accelerated the spread within the DRC but has also been detected in four neighboring countries—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—where mpox was previously unreported.
Committee Chair Professor Dimie Ogoina emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting, “The current upsurge of mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency, not only for Africa, but for the entire globe. Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.”
Challenges and response efforts in Africa
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, outlined ongoing efforts to combat the outbreak. “Significant efforts are already underway in close collaboration with communities and governments, with our country teams working on the frontlines to help reinforce measures to curb mpox. With the growing spread of the virus, we’re scaling up further through coordinated international action to support countries bring the outbreaks to an end,” she said.
Mpox, first identified in humans in 1970 in the DRC, is caused by an Orthopoxvirus and shares similarities with smallpox, although it generally presents milder symptoms. The disease can lead to fever, chills, body aches, and in severe cases, lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals.
The current outbreak poses a significant threat to the region’s already strained healthcare systems, with children under 15 accounting for the majority of cases and fatalities in the DRC. The overcrowded conditions in refugee camps, where hundreds of thousands of children live in unsanitary conditions, further exacerbate the risk.
Global implications and call for action
The WHO’s declaration of a PHEIC aims to galvanize international support and resources to contain the outbreak. However, past responses to similar declarations have been mixed, raising concerns about the global community’s ability to act swiftly and effectively.
The spread of the new mpox variant beyond Africa has already begun, with Sweden recently reporting its first case. Although the risk to the general public in countries outside Africa is currently considered low, experts warn that the virus could spread further if not contained promptly.
WHO has initiated the process for Emergency Use Listing for mpox vaccines, which could expedite access to vaccines in lower-income countries. The organization is also working with vaccine manufacturers and global partners to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
Dr. Tedros has called for immediate financial support, estimating an initial need for $15 million to bolster surveillance, preparedness, and response activities. WHO has already released $1.45 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies but anticipates the need for additional resources in the coming days.
The international community now faces a critical test: whether it can rally the necessary support to prevent the further spread of mpox and avert a global health crisis.
About Author
Leave a Reply