Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, convenes an emergency meeting to address the spread of mpox beyond the DRC, identifying it as a potential public health emergency. The situation has escalated with over 14,000 cases in the DRC this year. WHO is implementing strategies for response and vaccination, emphasizing community involvement and regional cooperation.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has convened an emergency meeting in response to the alarming spread of mpox, previously known as monkeypox, beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This gathering aims to determine if the ongoing outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, which is the highest alert level issued by the UN agency. Dr. Tedros announced that the Emergency Committee will convene imminently, consisting of independent experts from various relevant fields internationally. Mpox is a viral disease endemic primarily in Central and West Africa, transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials. Clinical manifestations of the disease include skin rashes or lesions, fever, headaches, muscular pain, backache, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease gained significant attention globally two years prior as cases began surfacing worldwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the declaration of a public health emergency in July 2022, which concluded in May 2023. In the first half of this year, the DRC has reported over 14,000 mpox cases and 511 fatalities, leading Dr. Tedros to highlight the severity of the situation. Remarkably, the number of reported cases for this year matches the total cases for all of 2022, indicating a concerning trend in the outbreak’s persistence. Surrounding countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda are also experiencing cases, a development that exacerbates the risks associated with the outbreak. Dr. Tedros noted that different clades of mpox viruses contribute to these outbreaks. Clade 1, which has circulated in the DRC for several years, and clade 2, which was responsible for the global outbreak initiated in 2022, differ in virulence. The current outbreak in eastern DRC stems from a new sub-strain of clade 1, designated clade 1b, which is associated with more severe disease compared to clade 2. Cases of clade 1a have also been reported in various regions, while other clades have been documented in several African countries. In collaboration with relevant governments, the Africa Centre for Disease Control, non-governmental organizations, and community stakeholders, WHO is committed to combating this outbreak by enhancing surveillance efforts, preparedness, and response activities. A comprehensive approach focused on community engagement is deemed essential for halting transmission. Furthermore, WHO has allocated $15 million towards regional initiatives, supplanting an initial $1 million drawn from an emergency fund to amplify the response efforts. To bolster vaccination efforts, Dr. Tedros revealed that two mpox vaccines have received authorization from WHO-listed national regulatory bodies, with recommendations from the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunizations. The process for Emergency Use Listing of both vaccines has been initiated to expedite access, especially for lower-income nations lacking national regulatory approvals. Facilitating this means that Gavi and UNICEF, as partners in global health, can procure doses to ensure equitable distribution.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the leading global health authority responsible for coordinating international public health efforts. Mpox, historically known as monkeypox, has gained significant recognition due to its endemic nature in certain African regions and its potential to spread globally. The recent increase in reported cases, particularly in the DRC, raises concerns about public health preparedness and response. The ongoing emergence of different clades of the virus also highlights the complexity of managing mpox outbreaks and the necessity for international cooperation in vaccination and health measures.
In summary, the WHO is taking decisive action to address the mpox outbreak, highlighting the importance of rapid response and international collaboration. Through the convening of expert committees and a significant financial commitment to regional response plans, WHO is prioritizing public health measures to control and manage the situation. The ongoing research into vaccination and treatment strategies is equally pivotal for safeguarding global health amidst this challenging scenario.
Original Source: news.un.org