WHO Issues Warning as Mpox Cases Surge Worldwide

On Aug. 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), its highest global alert level, for monkeypox (mpox) for the second time in two years. The first declaration was made in July 2022. This follows the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) declaration of a public health emergency earlier this week.

“WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has determined that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a PHEIC under the International Health Regulations (2005),” posts WHO on LinkedIn.

Cases have notably surged in several African countries. According to the WHO, over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths of mpox have been reported this year alone, marking a significant increase from 2023. The rise in cases is attributed to different viral clades, with clade 1b being particularly concerning due to its higher transmissibility and severity, says the WHO.

“Since there is a higher number of cases in areas that were not previously affected, the emergency declaration aims to identify and control the spread of this infection among the population," says Reynaldo Lara, Infectious Disease Specialist, TecSalud, to CONECTA.

Clade 1b was identified in the DRC last year and has spread to neighboring countries where it had not previously been reported. This clade, which transmits more readily through sexual networks, represents a new challenge in controlling the outbreak. 

The WHO has been actively working with governments and other partners to address the outbreak. Efforts include providing equipment for analyzing blood samples, supporting laboratories in sequencing viral samples, and training healthcare workers. The organization has also developed a regional response plan that requires an initial US$15 million for effective surveillance, preparedness, and response activities. So far, US$1.45 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies has been allocated, with additional funding expected.

In addition to response efforts, the WHO is facilitating access to vaccines. Two vaccines, approved by the WHO, are being used to combat the outbreak. The WHO has issued an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) call to encourage manufacturers to produce more vaccines, particularly for lower-income countries. This initiative will help ensure equitable access through partnerships with organizations like the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The WHO's standing recommendations for monitoring mpox, which were set to expire on August 20, 2024, will be extended for another year. These guidelines aim to support countries in adapting public health measures to local contexts, delivering clinical care, and enhancing community protection.

The WHO remains committed to coordinating a global response to the mpox crisis, working closely with affected countries to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and ultimately save lives. 

Mpox is characterized by fever, a distinct rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease has an incubation period of five to 21 days, followed by a febrile stage lasting one to three days with symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, and fatigue, as reported by WHO. This is succeeded by a skin eruption stage lasting two to four weeks, where lesions progress from flat macules to raised papules, vesicles, pustules, and eventually scabs.