The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency in response to a resurgence of mpox, a viral infection that spreads through close contact. This marks the second time in two years that mpox has been labeled a global health threat.
A global health emergency, officially termed a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC), is the highest level of alert issued by WHO. This designation is used when a disease is spreading in unusual or concerning ways, with the goal of mobilizing international cooperation and resources to address the outbreak. WHO’s recent declaration follows a similar warning issued earlier in the week by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Two years ago, WHO first declared mpox an emergency when a variant of the disease began spreading worldwide, primarily affecting men who have sex with men. This outbreak was eventually controlled through changes in behavior, safer sex practices, and the distribution of vaccines to at-risk populations in many countries.
However, mpox has been a persistent health issue in parts of Africa for decades. The first recorded human case occurred in Congo in 1970, and the region has experienced periodic outbreaks ever since.
The current outbreak in Congo is the country’s most severe to date, with 27,000 reported cases and more than 1,100 deaths since January 2023. The disease typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions, and while it is usually mild, it can be fatal. Children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV, are at higher risk of severe complications.
Two different strains of mpox are now circulating in Congo: the endemic strain and a new variant. This new variant is causing global concern due to its rapid spread and the limited understanding of its transmission. It is spreading through sexual contact as well as other close interactions, such as among children in displacement camps. The virus has also spread beyond Congo to neighboring countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and Kenya.
Health experts hope that the emergency declarations will accelerate efforts to provide medical resources and funding to Congo, helping local authorities contain the outbreak. Improved surveillance is also needed to study the virus and prevent its further spread.
Despite these urgent needs, a 2022 WHO appeal for $34 million to combat mpox failed to attract donor support, and access to vaccines remains uneven. African countries have not had access to the two vaccines used in the global outbreak, produced by Bavarian Nordic and KM Biologics. WHO is now calling for vaccine donations from countries with stockpiles, while Africa CDC has announced plans to secure doses, although details are still limited.
Mpox is a serious health issue that is taking the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations, including children. A new variant may be spreading in novel ways across parts of Africa. However, mpox is not comparable to COVID-19. There is currently no evidence that it spreads as easily through the air as COVID does, and there are proven tools available to control its spread and protect those at risk. The primary challenge now, highlighted by the emergency declarations, is to ensure that these tools reach the people who need them most, particularly in Congo and neighboring countries.
