The WHO has convened an emergency meeting to address the increasing spread of mpox outside the DRC, with over 14,000 cases reported this year. Dr. Tedros highlighted the rising number of cases in neighboring countries and confirmed the existence of different mpox clades, urging comprehensive community-focused responses. WHO has initiated a $15 million response plan and is expediting vaccine approvals to enhance access and control of the outbreak.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has convened an emergency meeting to address the increasing spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This critical gathering aims to assess whether the current mpox outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, which is the highest alert status issued by the United Nations agency. The committee, composed of independent experts from diverse fields, will convene in response to the urgent nature of the situation, as highlighted during Dr. Tedros’s statements in Geneva. Mpox is a viral disease that predominantly occurs in Central and West Africa, transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials. Symptomatic manifestations of the disease include skin rashes or lesions, fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The global attention towards mpox intensified two years ago when cases started to surface worldwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to its classification as a public health emergency in July 2022, before it was declared under control in May of the following year. Currently, the DRC is experiencing a severe outbreak with over 14,000 reported cases and 511 fatalities attributed to mpox since the beginning of 2023. Notably, neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda reported approximately 50 new confirmed and suspected cases in the past month, marking a significant escalation in the regional outbreak. Dr. Tedros detailed that different viruses or clades are responsible for the mpox outbreaks. The severe outbreak in the eastern DRC is associated with an emerging variant within clade 1, known as clade 1b, which is linked to more severe symptoms than those caused by clade 2, which drove the global outbreak in 2022. Clade 1b has been confirmed in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, whereas the situation in Burundi remains under investigation. Other clades, such as clade 1a, have also been reported in regions including the DRC, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo, while clade 2 has been noted in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, and South Africa. In collaboration with national governments, the Africa Centre for Disease Control, and various partners, the WHO is actively working to gain insights and address the driving factors behind these mpox outbreaks. Dr. Tedros emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive approach centered on community engagement to successfully halt further transmission of the virus. To support these efforts, WHO has initiated a regional response plan requiring $15 million for surveillance, preparedness, and response activities, in addition to allocating $1 million from its emergencies fund for immediate support—a figure that may further increase as the situation develops. The WHO has also approved two mpox vaccines, with the Expert Group on Immunization (SAGE) recommending their use. Dr. Tedros has triggered the Emergency Use Listing process for these vaccines, facilitating quicker access, especially for lower-income nations lacking national regulatory approvals. This initiative aims to enable global procurement and distribution of the vaccines through partnerships, including the Gavi global vaccine alliance and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The mpox outbreak signifies a growing public health challenge, particularly as cases extend beyond endemic regions in Africa. With a notable history of mpox outbreaks, its recent emergence on a global scale has prompted WHO to take precautionary measures to mitigate further spread and to ensure comprehensive international cooperation in addressing this health emergency. The involvement of expert committees and multilateral partnerships underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation, as nations work collaboratively to enhance surveillance, vaccination, and health responses to the disease.
In conclusion, the ongoing mpox outbreak necessitates immediate attention from the global health community, with the WHO spearheading efforts to address its spread beyond endemic territories. The recent convocation of the Emergency Committee reflects a proactive step towards evaluating the outbreak’s impact and ensuring coordinated responses. The clear need for effective vaccination programs, alongside regional support plans, is paramount to curb the transmission of mpox and safeguard public health across affected regions.
Original Source: news.un.org
