WHO Gathering Experts to Assess If Mysterious Outbreak in Africa Poses Global Health Threat

In Geneva, the Director-General of the World Health Organization announced plans to assemble a panel of experts to assess the escalating spread of the mpox virus in Africa and determine if it should be classified as a global emergency. The WHO is concerned about the rising number of mpox cases extending beyond Congo, prompting the decision to seek guidance from independent experts promptly.
Recent data from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that mpox, also known as monkeypox, has been identified in 10 African nations this year, with Congo reporting over 96% of all cases and fatalities. Compared to the same period last year, there has been a significant surge in cases by 160% and a 19% increase in deaths.
Reports from the Africa CDC indicate that nearly 70% of cases in Congo are affecting children under 15 years old, who also constitute 85% of the total deaths. Notably, mpox cases were newly reported in Burundi and Rwanda, while countries like Kenya and the Central African Republic have also confirmed instances of the virus.
The World Health Organization has allocated $1 million from its emergency fund to support the response efforts against mpox. Earlier this year, a more virulent strain of mpox was identified in a Congolese mining town, raising concerns about easier transmission among humans. Mpox spreads through close contact with infected individuals, including sexual contact.
Mpox was declared a global emergency by WHO in 2022 after spreading to over 70 countries, predominantly impacting gay and bisexual men. Vaccines and treatments have been effective in curbing mpox in Western nations, but the availability of these resources in Africa remains limited. WHO officials emphasized the urgent need for a proactive response to the escalating mpox epidemic in Africa.
Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO’s outbreak department, highlighted several alarming factors in the African mpox crisis and urged for immediate action. She emphasized the importance of not hesitating but instead acting promptly to address the situation.