WHO Declares End to Global Mpox Health Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially lifted the global health emergency status for mpox. The decision was announced on Friday by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, following recommendations from the organization’s emergency committee.
“More than a year ago, I declared a public health emergency of international concern regarding the spread of mpox in Africa. Based on the committee’s latest assessment, the situation no longer represents such an emergency,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said during a live briefing.
The move comes after a consistent decline in both cases and fatalities across several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
What is Mpox?
Mpox, caused by a virus belonging to the same family as smallpox, can spread to humans through infected animals or close physical contact with infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and large skin lesions, which in severe cases can be life-threatening.
The virus has two main variants — clade 1 and clade 2. While mpox has been endemic in parts of Central Africa for decades, it drew global attention in May 2022 when clade 2 spread internationally, with cases reported in many countries.
WHO’s Emergency Status
WHO first declared mpox a global emergency in August last year, after a new outbreak originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo spread to neighboring countries. A public health emergency of international concern is the organization’s highest level of alert.
Health experts continue to encourage awareness and preventive measures, even as the global threat level is downgraded.
