MPOX DISEASE ALERT!!!: WHO declares a state of emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Mpox disease as a global health emergency. This classification aims to encourage member countries to take immediate action and prepare for a potential outbreak within their borders. It also allows for the sharing of vaccines, treatments, and essential resources with less affluent nations.

This marks the second instance in three years that the WHO has labeled an Mpox outbreak as a global emergency. The first was in July 2022, when nearly 100,000 individuals, predominantly gay and bisexual men, were affected across 116 countries, resulting in approximately 200 fatalities.

The WHO's decision follows a similar announcement by the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Tuesday. The rapid increase in Mpox cases this year, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has reported over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths, prompted this declaration.

The WHO identified women and children under 15 as the groups most at risk. During the announcement, WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern over the emergence and swift spread of a new Mpox variant in eastern D.R.C. He highlighted its detection in neighboring countries that had not reported cases before and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond.

Dr. Dimie Ogoina, chair of the emergency committee and an infectious disease physician in Nigeria, remarked that the situation might be just the "tip of the iceberg" due to deficiencies in the current surveillance system, which should raise alarm for everyone.

On Tuesday, Africa CDC declared a "public health emergency of continental security," citing the rapid spread of the viral infection. This virus transmits through close contact and leads to flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While most cases are mild, they can be fatal. Director General Jean Kaseya stated the emergency aims to mobilize resources and respond decisively.

The outbreak in Congo began with an endemic strain called Clade I, but a new variant, Clade Ib, appears to spread more easily, especially among children. Dr. Kaseya mentioned that Africa needs over 10 million doses of the vaccine, though only around 200,000 are currently available. He assured that the Africa CDC is working to increase vaccine supplies and has a plan to secure more than 10 million doses, starting with 3 million in 2024, without specifying the vaccine sources.