The World Health Organization (WHO) is convening an emergency committee to assess whether the current mpox outbreak in Africa should be declared a global health emergency. This decision comes in response to a significant increase in cases, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has reported nearly 27,000 cases and approximately 1,100 deaths this year alone source
Mpox outbreak in Africa
- Rising Cases: The outbreak has seen a 160% increase in cases and a 19% rise in deaths compared to the same period last year. The DRC accounts for over 96% of reported cases, with mpox now detected in ten African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
- Expert Consultation: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that independent experts will evaluate the situation and advise on the potential declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This designation is the highest alert level the WHO can issue.
- Funding and Support: The WHO has allocated $1 million from its emergency fund to support the response to the outbreak and is working with local governments and health organizations to enhance surveillance and response efforts.
- Transmission Concerns: The outbreak is primarily affecting children, with nearly 70% of cases in the DRC involving individuals under 15 years old. The current strain, clade I, is associated with a higher fatality rate compared to the strain responsible for the previous global outbreak. source
- Urgency of Response: WHO officials have emphasized the need for immediate action, highlighting that the time to act is now to prevent further spread of the virus, especially as it has begun to affect regions previously unaffected.
The emergency committee’s meeting is expected to occur “as soon as possible,” and the outcome will play a crucial role in shaping the international response to this escalating health crisis.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/who-convene-emergency-committee-mpox-outbreak-congo-2024-08-07/
