World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared on Wednesday the mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern.
"WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has determined that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR)," the organization said in a statement.
The declaration was made on the advice of the IHR Emergency Committee, Tedros gave a briefing following the emergency committee meeting.
The number of reported cases of mpox increased significantly in 2023, and in 2024, there have already been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths, surpassing last year's numbers, he added.
WHO has developed a regional response plan that requires an initial $15 million. The organization has allocated $1.45 million from its emergency fund and is asking donors to fund the remainder of the plan, he said.
A public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) is WHO's official declaration of an emergency event that is defined as posing a public health hazard to other countries as a result of the international spread of a disease, potentially requiring a coordinated international response. Under the 2005 IHR, states are required by law to respond promptly to a PHEIC.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare infectious disease that is also transmitted between people. It is usually a mild disease that most people recover from within a few weeks, but some may have complications. The initial symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, enlarged lymph nodes, chills and fatigue. A rash may develop, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.