WHO Declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency Again Amid Surge in Cases

Mpox Declared Global Health Emergency Again

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency for the second time in just three years. This urgent announcement comes as the virus experiences a rapid surge across more than a dozen African nations. Currently, the outbreak is most severe in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has reported a staggering 15,600 cases of mpox along with 537 deaths, according to the latest data from the U.N. agency. The ongoing mpox epidemic in the DRC has already proven to be deadlier than the outbreak witnessed in 2022, the last occasion when the health emergency was declared.

Understanding Mpox

What is mpox and how is it spread?

The mpox virus is endemic to regions in Central and Western Africa. While it bears similarities to smallpox, it is generally less contagious. The virus primarily spreads through close contact with infected animals or individuals, as well as through the consumption of contaminated meat. Furthermore, mpox can also be transmitted through sexual contact, and there is a notable risk of transmission from an infected mother to her fetus during pregnancy.

Current Impact and Affected Regions

Who is currently being affected?

A staggering 96 percent of the mpox-related deaths reported in June were attributed to the DRC, a nation already grappling with a complex internal conflict and a dire humanitarian crisis. However, the disease has now been identified in 13 countries, marking its first appearance in East African nations such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

It’s important to note that the dynamics of the outbreaks vary significantly across different regions and countries, influenced by the unique circumstances within each community. According to Dr. Sylvie Jonckheere, an advisor on emerging infectious diseases for Doctors Without Borders, a common thread unites these outbreaks: “We do not know how to control this outbreak.”