WHO Declares Global Health Emergency Over New Mpox Variant in Africa
New Strain Emerges in DRC, Spreading to 13 Countries with Over 14,000 Cases and 524 Deaths Reported
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), its highest level of alert, due to the rapid spread of a new variant of the mpox viral disease in Africa. The declaration marks the second time in two years that the WHO has issued this alert for the disease.
The new mpox variant, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has now spread to 13 African countries, prompting urgent international attention. The WHO's emergency committee convened on Wednesday and advised Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to declare the PHEIC, a decision that was swiftly accepted.
"This is something that should concern us all," Tedros stated during a news conference. "WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries, and leveraging our on-the-ground presence, to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives."
The PHEIC declaration is expected to accelerate research, funding, and international public health measures, as well as enhance cooperation under the legally binding International Health Regulations. The move is anticipated to trigger emergency responses in countries worldwide to contain the disease's spread.
The situation is particularly dire in the DRC, where over 96% of the reported cases and deaths have occurred. This year alone, the WHO has documented over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths from mpox, surpassing last year's figures. Scientists are especially concerned about the new variant's potential for higher transmissibility among humans and its ability to cause severe illness.
Unlike previous strains of the disease, which caused noticeable lesions on the chest, hands, and feet, the new variant presents milder symptoms, with lesions appearing primarily on the genitals. This change has made the disease harder to detect and increased the risk of transmission among people who may not realize they are infected.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) also declared the increasing spread of mpox across the continent a health emergency earlier this week. The agency warned that if not contained, the virus could spill over into other regions, posing a global health threat.
As the world faces this growing crisis, WHO's declaration of a PHEIC underscores the urgent need for a coordinated international response to contain the new mpox variant, protect vulnerable populations, and prevent further loss of life.
