Mpox Declared a Global Health Emergency by WHO Amid Rapid Spread in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its highest level of alert for mpox, declaring it a global health emergency for the second time since 2022. The viral disease, formerly known as monkeypox, has been spreading rapidly across the African continent, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported this year, surpassing last year’s figures. The WHO's declaration comes as a response to a new variant of the virus and an increase in cases in several African countries, including Kenya and Rwanda.

What is Mpox?

Mpox is a viral infection that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes viruses that cause pox-like diseases. It is similar to smallpox, though typically less severe. The virus was first identified in monkeys in 1958, which led to its initial name, "monkeypox." However, in 2022, the WHO recommended renaming it "mpox" to reduce stigma and to acknowledge that the disease also infects other animals, including rodents and humans.

Transmission and Symptoms

Mpox is transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals or humans. Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with skin lesions, body fluids, or respiratory droplets, as well as through contaminated objects. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes.

Symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, and a distinctive rash that evolves into pustules and scabs. Lymph nodes may also swell as the body fights the virus. In severe cases, the infection can be fatal. Symptoms usually appear within three to 21 days after exposure, and the disease can last two to four weeks.

Reasons for the Global Emergency Declaration

The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) due to the emergence of a new variant and its spread to countries where the disease had not been previously reported. The declaration aims to mobilize resources and prompt action from donor agencies and governments to contain the outbreak.

The current outbreak is driven by clade I of mpox, which is considered more deadly than the clade II responsible for the 2022 global spread. So far, cases of the new variant have not been reported outside Africa, but the WHO is concerned about the potential for further spread.

Vaccination and Treatment

While there are no specific treatments or vaccines approved for mpox, the antiviral drug tecovirimat (TPOXX) and the smallpox vaccine JYNNEOS are being used in severe cases. However, a significant challenge is that a large proportion of cases in Congo, where the outbreak is most severe, are in individuals under 18, for whom these treatments are not always applicable.

The WHO's declaration highlights the need for increased surveillance, rapid diagnosis, and access to treatments, particularly in African countries where the virus is spreading rapidly.

The global health emergency declaration underscores the urgency of controlling the spread of mpox, especially in regions with limited healthcare resources, to prevent further escalation.