LONDON – The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the ongoing mpox outbreak continues to be classified as a public health emergency. The announcement, made on Thursday, follows a steady rise in cases and the widespread geographical spread of the virus.
The WHO, which first declared the outbreak an emergency in August of last year, cited the increasing number of mpox cases and the virus’s reach across multiple countries as key factors in maintaining the emergency status. Additionally, ongoing violence in eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has hampered response efforts, contributed to the decision.
A Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is the WHO’s highest level of alert, declared after consultation with external experts. A previous form of mpox was also designated an emergency between 2022 and 2023.
The current strain of the virus, clade Ib, continues to have its greatest impact in the DRC, although Uganda and Burundi are also experiencing significant outbreaks, according to the latest WHO report. Cases linked to travel have been reported in countries such as Thailand and the United Kingdom.
Since the beginning of 2024, more than 21,000 mpox cases have been confirmed globally through laboratory testing, with 70 reported deaths, primarily in the DRC. Last year, over 50,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths were documented, with case confirmation proving challenging in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
Mpox, a viral disease spread through close contact, typically presents with flu-like symptoms and distinctive, pus-filled lesions. While the disease is usually mild, it can be fatal in some cases.
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