WHO Calls Emergency Meeting on Mpox Outbreak Amid Rising Cases

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, has called an emergency meeting regarding the mpox outbreak, which is now spreading beyond the DRC. The meeting aims to assess whether the situation is a public health emergency of international concern. Over 14,000 cases have been reported in the DRC this year, alongside new cases in neighboring countries. The WHO is focused on community involvement and has allocated funds to support health initiatives, including vaccine deployment to combat the outbreak.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has convened an urgent meeting in response to the alarming spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This decision was prompted by the ongoing crisis and the potential for further international transmission. The Emergency Committee, comprising independent experts from various relevant fields across the globe, will deliberate on whether the current outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern—the highest alert status designated by the WHO. Mpox is endemic to Central and West Africa and can be transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include a skin rash, fever, headaches, muscle pains, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Mpox gained international attention two years ago during a global outbreak, which was declared a public health emergency in July 2022, concluding in May 2023. In the DRC, a severe mpox outbreak has been recorded this year, with over 14,000 cases and 511 fatalities reported. While outbreaks have recently become more frequent in the DRC, the number of cases in the initial half of 2023 has already equaled the entire count for 2022. Neighboring regions, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported their first suspected cases of mpox in the past month. The current outbreak in Eastern DRC involves a new variant known as clade 1b, which is associated with more severe manifestations than clade 2, which drove the 2022 global outbreak. This variant has also been detected in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Clade 1a has been seen in the DRC, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo, while instances of clade 2 have arisen in countries such as Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, and South Africa. The WHO is actively collaborating with governments, the Africa Centre for Disease Control, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to tackle the roots of these outbreaks. Dr. Tedros emphasized the necessity of a holistic response that prioritizes community involvement. The WHO has launched a regional response plan totaling $15 million for surveillance and preparedness, alongside an immediate allocation of $1 million from its emergencies fund. Furthermore, two vaccines for mpox have received approval from WHO-listed national medical authorities and have been recommended by the WHO expert immunization group, SAGE. Dr. Tedros has initiated the Emergency Use Listing process for these vaccines to expedite access, particularly for lower-income nations yet to establish national regulatory approvals. This listing will enable global partners such as Gavi and UNICEF to procure and distribute doses to the areas in need, echoing similar efforts undertaken for equitable COVID-19 vaccine access through the COVAX initiative.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness endemic to specific regions in Africa. The disease can spread through direct contact with infected entities and manifests through several symptoms. The outbreak that drew considerable global attention began during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting concerns about its international spread. The WHO’s response reflects a commitment to ensuring global health security, particularly as outbreaks intensify in the DRC and its neighboring countries. The ongoing situation underscores the importance of collaborative international efforts, vaccine access, and a community-centered approach to disease control.

The recent convening of an expert meeting by the WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, comes in response to the critical situation concerning the mpox outbreak, particularly as cases extend beyond the DRC into neighboring countries. With the notable rise in case counts and fatalities, the appearance of a more severe viral clade compounds the urgency for comprehensive public health measures. The WHO is prioritizing vaccine access and community engagement in their response strategy, emphasizing the need for collaboration across borders to mitigate the impact of this infectious disease.

Original Source: news.un.org