Mpox Declared Public Health Emergency Worldwide

The mpox outbreak has escalated to a global health emergency, particularly affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where over 15,000 cases and more than 540 deaths have been reported this year. Although the mpox virus was historically controlled with smallpox vaccinations, such vaccinations are no longer available in the U.S. after being discontinued in 1972. African nations, including South Africa, are on high alert for new cases and strains, with 24 cases reported locally, prompting health departments to urge public participation in prevention efforts. In the DRC, Oxfam is mobilizing resources to improve sanitation and hygiene in the hardest-hit areas, aiming to assist approximately 80,000 people. The World Health Organization has identified this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, with cases expanding beyond Africa, including new variants detected in Sweden and Pakistan. Current recommendations from health authorities suggest vaccinations only for those exposed or at high risk, rather than the general population.