Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the mpox outbreak is still a public health emergency of international concern.
This decision was made after the WHO’s Emergency Committee met and advised the director-general that the outbreak continues to spread and requires a cohesive response across countries and partners.
The mpox outbreak has resulted in over 46,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 suspected deaths across Africa, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The virus has also spread to other countries, including the UK, Germany, Sweden, and India, with cases of a new variant, clade Ib, confirmed in these countries.
Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact and typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While it is usually mild, it can be lethal.
In September, after facing criticism on moving too slowly on vaccines, the WHO cleared Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine for mpox and, earlier this month, listed Japan’s KM Biologics’ shot for emergency use.
The WHO’s declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern is the organization’s highest form of alert. It emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among countries to control the outbreak.
