WHO Declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global health emergency due to a significant rise in cases, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which accounts for 94% of Africa's infections this year. Over 18,910 cases and 541 deaths have been reported across Africa in 2024, with Congo alone recording 1,030 new cases in the past week. African health authorities are urgently requesting more vaccines to combat the outbreak, which has spread to 12 of Africa's 54 countries and has seen a more transmissible strain emerge. Additionally, cases have been detected outside Africa, including in Sweden and Thailand, raising international concerns. Efforts are being made to avoid the slow vaccine acquisition experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Congo expecting vaccine shipments from the US and Japan soon.