The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) due to a rapidly spreading new variant of the mpox virus in Africa. This marks the second time in two years that the WHO has issued its highest level of alert for this viral disease.
Mpox Outbreak in Africa: A Growing Concern
The emergency declaration follows an alarming outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has already spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The WHO reported that mpox cases have now been identified in 13 African countries, with the new clade Ib variant appearing to spread more easily than previous strains.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the decision on Wednesday, stating, “Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice.” He emphasized the global significance of this outbreak, underscoring the need for coordinated international efforts to prevent further transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.
Impact of the PHEIC Declaration
The declaration of a PHEIC can mobilize resources, accelerate research, and enhance international cooperation under the legally binding International Health Regulations. It aims to bolster the global response to the outbreak, ensuring that affected countries receive the support necessary to contain the virus.
Mpox, which can spread through close contact, typically presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. While generally mild, the virus can be fatal in rare cases. The current outbreak began with the clade I strain, but the emergence of clade Ib has raised concerns due to its increased transmissibility.
African Response and Vaccination Efforts
The DRC has borne the brunt of the outbreak, with more than 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths reported this year alone—a staggering 160 percent increase compared to the same period last year. In response, Africa’s top public health body, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), declared an mpox emergency for the continent earlier this week.
Speaking with Al Jazeera, Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff of the regional health body, revealed that negotiations are underway to secure vaccines for the continent. An agreement with the European Union’s health task force and mpox vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic will initially provide 215,000 doses, with plans to increase this to two million doses by the end of the year and ten million by the end of 2025.
The response strategy also includes widespread public awareness campaigns across various media platforms to ensure that both urban and remote populations are informed about the disease and how to prevent its spread. Special attention is being given to young people, as 60 percent of cases in the DRC have been reported among individuals under the age of 18.
A Recurring Threat
This is not the first time the WHO has declared a global health emergency for mpox. In 2022, a different variant, clade IIb, spread internationally, primarily affecting men who have sex with men. That outbreak, which resulted in 140 deaths from approximately 90,000 cases, prompted a PHEIC that lasted from July 2022 to May 2023 before the situation was largely brought under control.
With the current outbreak, international organizations such as the Red Cross are ramping up preparedness measures across Africa, particularly in the eastern DRC. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed “profound concern” over the virus’s spread and committed to playing a crucial role in containing the disease, especially in hard-to-reach areas where the need is greatest.
As the world faces this renewed threat, the global community’s coordinated efforts will be crucial in curbing the spread of mpox and protecting vulnerable populations across Africa.
