"Urgent Global Action Needed as New Mpox Strain Spreads Across African Nations"

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has officially declared the recent surge of monkeypox (formerly known as monkeypox) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African nations as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This decision follows advice from the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee, which convened to assess data from WHO experts and the affected countries.

The Committee's recommendation to classify the upsurge as a PHEIC highlights the potential for the virus to spread not only across Africa but also to other continents. In response to this declaration, Dr. Tedros emphasized the urgency of a coordinated international effort to combat the outbreak. He noted that the emergence of a new clade of the MONKEYPOX virus in eastern DRC, combined with cases in neighboring countries, necessitates immediate global action to prevent further spread and save lives.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti , WHO Regional Director for Africa, acknowledged the efforts already underway in collaboration with communities and governments to control the virus. She stressed the importance of scaling up these efforts through coordinated international actions to bring the outbreaks under control.

Professor Dimie Ogoina, Chair of the Emergency Committee, expressed concern over the current upsurge of mpox in Africa and the emergence of a new sexually transmissible strain of the virus. He noted that mpox, historically neglected in Africa, had previously caused a global outbreak in 2022. Professor Ogoina urged decisive action to prevent a recurrence of such an outbreak on a global scale.

This is the second PHEIC declaration related to mpox within the last two years. The disease, caused by the Orthopoxvirus, was first identified in humans in the DRC in 1970 and is considered endemic in several Central and West African countries. In July 2022, a multi-country outbreak of mpox was declared a PHEIC as the virus spread rapidly through sexual contact across nations where it had not been previously observed. That PHEIC was lifted in May 2023 following a sustained decline in global cases.

Mpox has been a persistent issue in the DRC for over a decade, with the number of reported cases increasing steadily each year. Last year saw a significant rise in cases, and the number of cases reported this year has already surpassed the total from the previous year, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths recorded so far.

Of particular concern is the emergence of a new virus strain, clade 1b, in the DRC. This strain appears to be spreading primarily through sexual networks and has been detected in countries neighboring the DRC, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. These nations have not previously reported mpox cases, and experts believe that the actual number of cases may be higher than reported, as many clinically compatible cases have not been tested.

The current outbreaks of mpox across different regions involve various clades of the virus, with differing transmission modes and risk levels. WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization has recommended two vaccines currently in use for mpox, which are also approved by WHO-listed national regulatory authorities, including in Nigeria and the DRC.

In response to the PHEIC, Dr. Tedros initiated the Emergency Use Listing process for mpox vaccines, aiming to expedite vaccine access for lower-income countries lacking national regulatory approval. This process also facilitates vaccine procurement by organizations such as Gavi and UNICEF for distribution in affected areas.

WHO is collaborating with countries and vaccine manufacturers to secure vaccine donations and working through the interim Medical Countermeasures Network to ensure equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other necessary tools. The organization estimates an immediate funding requirement of $15 million to support surveillance, preparedness, and response activities. WHO has already allocated $1.45 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies and may release additional funds as needed. WHO is calling on donors to provide the necessary funds to fully support the global mpox response.