The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the Mpox outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern.
The decision was announced on Thursday, eliciting palpable fears as the number of cases continues to rise, and the outbreak continues to spread especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Burundi.
Why Mpox Is Still a Global Health Threat
The WHO first declared Mpox a public health emergency in August 2022, and the situation has not improved. The agency cited several factors for maintaining the emergency status as a steady increase in Mpox cases globally, the geographic spread of the outbreak, with new cases reported in countries like Thailand and Britain, ongoing violence in the eastern DRC, which has hindered response efforts.
The WHO’s Director-General made the decision after consulting a group of external experts, reaffirming the seriousness of the situation.
Mpox Clade Ib: A New and Dangerous Strain
The current outbreak is driven by a new strain of Mpox, known as Clade Ib, which is more transmissible and severe than previous strains. While the DRC remains the epicenter of the outbreak, neighboring countries like Uganda and Burundi are also significantly affected.
Travel-related cases have been reported in countries outside Africa, including Thailand and Britain, raising concerns about the potential for a global spread.
Mpox Cases and Deaths: A Growing Crisis
According to the WHO, there have been over 21,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox worldwide since the start of 2024, including 70 deaths, most of which occurred in the DRC.
In 2023, there were over 50,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths, though confirming cases has been challenging in regions with limited healthcare capacity.
What Is Mpox? Symptoms and Transmission
Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact and typically causes flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, muscle aches), pus-filled skin lesions.
While the disease is usually mild, it can be lethal, especially in vulnerable populations or areas with limited access to healthcare.
Challenges in Controlling the Outbreak
The WHO has faced significant challenges in responding to the Mpox outbreak, particularly in the DRC, where ongoing violence has disrupted healthcare services and vaccination campaigns. Also, the lack of testing capacity in some regions has made it difficult to accurately track and confirm cases.
