This is the second time in three years that the agency has made such a declaration over mpox, but this time the threat is deadlier. The previous emergency was declared over in May 2023.
“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern [Democratic Republic of the Congo], its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
The Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported a record 15,600 mpox cases and 537 deaths. The outbreak has spread through 13 countries, including some that have never previously reported mpox cases.
The current outbreak stems from a strain descending from clade I mpox, which is endemic to the DRC and the Republic of the Congo. Those most at risk include women and children under 15.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert regarding the mpox outbreak in Africa last week, urging clinicians and the public to be on alert for the virus.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared a “public health emergency of continental security” on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Department of Health and Human Services said the U.S. government supports both declarations.
“The United States will continue to work closely with African governments, Africa CDC and WHO to ensure an effective response to the current outbreak and to protect the health and lives of people of the region,” the agency said.
No cases of this clade I mpox have been detected outside the impacted African countries so far. The WHO declaration is meant to prompt other countries to prepare for the virus, and to coordinate a response including sharing resources like vaccines.
