WHO Declares Global Emergency Over Mpox Outbreak

The rise of mpox outbreaks in Africa has been attributed to decades of neglect and the emergence of a more transmissible strain, prompting the WHO to declare a public health emergency. Dr. Dimie Ogoina, from WHO's emergency committee, highlighted that while the 2022 outbreak primarily affected gay and bisexual men globally, the current spread in Africa also impacts children and pregnant women, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The DRC has reported over 18,000 suspected cases and 615 deaths this year, with limited resources complicating efforts to track the virus and understand its transmission dynamics. New strain clade Ib, which is spreading faster than anticipated, raises concerns among health officials, especially given its potential sexual transmission routes. Countries like Botswana are increasing surveillance and testing at entry points to mitigate risks, while health officials in the UK are monitoring potential cases. The rapid mutation of the virus emphasizes the urgent need for a coordinated global response to effectively manage the outbreak.