WHO Calls Emergency Meeting on Mpox Following Spread Beyond DRC
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus convened an emergency meeting on mpox, prompted by the disease’s spread outside the DRC, where significant outbreaks have resulted in over 14,000 cases and 511 deaths in 2023. Neighboring countries are also reporting cases, necessitating a global response involving vaccination efforts and surveillance.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has convened an emergency meeting regarding the mpox outbreak, particularly following its spread beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This meeting is crucial in light of the possible international dissemination of the disease. Dr. Tedros has called for an Emergency Committee comprised of global independent experts to assess whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international significance, which is the highest alert level established by the United Nations agency. The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection endemic to regions in Central and West Africa. It can be transmitted through close contact with an infected individual, animal, or contaminated objects, with symptoms including persistent fever, skin lesions, headaches, muscle and back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Historically, mpox surged into global awareness approximately two years ago with cases expanding worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initial outbreak was declared a public health emergency in July 2022, concluding a year later. In the current year, the DRC faces a dire mpox outbreak, reporting over 14,000 cases and 511 fatalities. While mpox cases have been increasing for decades in the region, the first half of this year has shown numbers equivalent to the total reported in all of 2023. Moreover, in recent weeks, about 50 confirmed and suspected mpox cases have arisen in four neighboring countries—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—marking their first reported incidents. Dr. Tedros noted that various clades of the virus are responsible for these outbreaks; specifically, the ongoing situation is driven by a new variant from clade 1, termed clade 1b, which has been detected in the previously affected countries, while clade 2 emerged during the earlier global outbreak. The WHO is currently collaborating with the affected nations, the Africa Centre for Disease Control, and numerous partners to better understand the factors intricately related to these outbreaks and to formulate an adequate public health response. A comprehensive strategy is essential to halt the transmission, placing affected communities at its core. To that end, WHO has developed a $15 million response plan to bolster regional surveillance and preparedness, with an additional $1 million allocated from emergency funds to escalate response efforts. Currently, two vaccines for mpox have received approval from national regulatory authorities recognized by WHO, with recommendations from its expert immunization group, SAGE. Dr. Tedros has initiated the Emergency Use Listing process for these vaccines to facilitate access, especially in lower-income nations lacking their own regulatory approval pathways.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for coordinating international public health efforts and responding to emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has resurfaced as a critical concern due to its potential for international spread, particularly following its emergence in countries outside its endemic regions. The DRC is currently experiencing a significant increase in cases, and the recent spread to neighboring nations adds urgency to the WHO’s response efforts. Understanding the various clades of the virus is essential for developing targeted treatments and preventative measures, including vaccination and public health education.
The WHO’s swift action in convening an emergency meeting regarding the mpox outbreak reflects the organization’s commitment to monitoring and controlling potential public health emergencies. With alarming case numbers in the DRC and newly reported infections in neighboring countries, it is crucial to implement a comprehensive response strategy that emphasizes community involvement. The initiation of vaccine deployment and the global response plan are steps in the right direction towards controlling the current outbreak and preventing future incidences of mpox.
Original Source: news.un.org
