By Ayomide Otitoju
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that the ongoing mpox outbreak remains a global health emergency, following a significant surge in cases across West Africa and continued transmission beyond the continent.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement on Monday after a meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee. The panel acknowledged progress in containing the virus in some regions but cited persistent challenges, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the epidemic began in early 2024.
According to WHO data, more than 37,000 confirmed mpox cases have been recorded in 25 countries, with at least 125 deaths reported. The DRC alone accounts for approximately 60% of the total cases and 40% of the fatalities. The virus, which causes a painful rash and flu-like symptoms, has also severely impacted Uganda and Burundi, while Sierra Leone has experienced a worrying spike in infections this year.
The committee emphasized that the outbreak continues to meet the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to the increasing number of cases, undetected transmission chains outside Africa, and gaps in surveillance and healthcare response.
“The international community must sustain support, especially for countries facing severe resource constraints,” the WHO stated, highlighting the urgent need for increased funding for treatment, contact tracing, and public health education.
WHO initially declared mpox a global health emergency in August 2024. The latest assessment by the IHR committee took place last Thursday.
