WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak in Africa a Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially classified the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa as a "public health emergency of international concern." This designation, previously used for significant health crises like Ebola and COVID-19, highlights the urgency of the situation, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has reported over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths since the beginning of 2024. The outbreak has also spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, raising alarms about potential cross-border transmission. Dr. Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the need for swift action and international support, noting that the rising caseload has largely been overlooked. The emergence of a new variant, clade Ib, has been confirmed in the DRC and neighboring nations, with concerns that it may be more transmissible. Historically, mpox has been associated with bushmeat consumption, but recent patterns indicate a shift, with children under 15 now comprising over 70% of cases in the DRC. In Sweden, health officials reported the first case of the more infectious clade I variant outside Africa, confirming that the patient had contracted the virus during travel to an affected region. While the risk to the general population is deemed low, experts anticipate more imported cases in Europe. The WHO's declaration serves as a reminder that infectious diseases can rapidly escalate beyond their geographic origins, necessitating a coordinated global response to prevent further spread.