WHO Declares Mpox a Global Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding regions a public health emergency of international concern, citing a significant surge in cases, especially among children. This new variant of mpox, clade I, has a higher mortality rate and has spread to multiple African countries, with the Congo reporting approximately 2,600 cases and 511 deaths in 2024 alone. The Africa CDC echoed this emergency declaration, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures and international aid to contain the virus. Experts warn that the current surveillance systems are inadequate, potentially underreporting the actual scale of the outbreak. Vaccination efforts are expected to commence soon, but accessibility remains a significant hurdle. With cases rising sharply, both regional and global health organizations are ramping up their response efforts to mitigate the crisis.