On Wednesday, the WHO escalated the situation to a global public health emergency due to the emergence of this new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and reports of cases in neighboring countries. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated international response to tackle the outbreaks and prevent further spread.
The WHO’s decision followed an urgent recommendation by the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee. The organization has also called on mpox vaccine manufacturers to submit expressions of interest for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) to combat the rising cases in Africa.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease spread through close contact with infected individuals or animals. Transmission can occur via body fluids, skin lesions, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials. The virus can also be spread from animals to humans through bites, scratches, or direct contact with bodily fluids.
Symptoms typically appear within 5 to 21 days of exposure and include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that progresses through various stages. The infectious period lasts 2 to 4 weeks, with transmission possible from the onset of symptoms until lesions have healed and new skin has formed underneath.
This new strain’s detection outside Africa highlights the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation to manage and contain the virus.