Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, convened an Emergency Committee following the spread of mpox beyond the DRC, assessing its classification as a public health emergency. Over 14,000 cases have been reported in the DRC, with new cases in surrounding countries. WHO is enacting a $15 million regional response plan and expediting vaccine access to combat the outbreak.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for an urgent meeting regarding the recent spread of mpox, also known as monkeypox, outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This meeting follows alarming developments concerning the potential for further international transmission of the virus both within and outside Africa. Dr. Ghebreyesus convened an Emergency Committee aiming to assess whether this outbreak qualifies as a public health emergency of international concern, which is the highest alert level issued by the United Nations agency. The committee will consist of independent experts from various relevant fields globally and is scheduled to convene at the earliest opportunity to discuss the epidemic’s implications. Mpox is endemic in Central and West African regions and can spread through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials. Symptoms typically manifest as a skin rash or lesions, fever, headache, muscle pain, severe fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The emergence of mpox onto the global stage occurred two years ago amid the COVID-19 pandemic, culminating in a declaration of a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022, which concluded the following May. Dr. Ghebreyesus noted that the DRC is currently experiencing a substantial outbreak of mpox, reporting over 14,000 cases and 511 fatalities since the beginning of the year. While mpox outbreaks have been recorded in the DRC for decades, the current year’s case count is alarmingly on par with the totality of cases reported throughout 2023. Moreover, in the past month, approximately 50 confirmed and suspected cases have been documented in four neighboring countries—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—that had not previously reported cases. Dr. Ghebreyesus elaborated on the viruses causing mpox outbreaks, detailing that different clades are responsible. The ongoing outbreak in eastern DRC is linked to a new variant of clade 1, designated clade 1b, which is known to be more virulent than clade 2, responsible for the significant global outbreak that began in 2022. Clade 1b has been verified in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, while analyses of samples from Burundi are still ongoing. Additionally, cases from clade 1a have been reported this year within the DRC, Central African Republic, and Republic of Congo, as clade 2 has been identified in nations like Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, and South Africa. The WHO is actively collaborating with governments of affected regions, the Africa Centre for Disease Control, non-governmental organizations, and civil society partners to comprehend the outbreak’s drivers and implement effective interventions. Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized the necessity of a holistic response centered on communities to halt virus transmission. In response to the outbreak, WHO has devised a $15 million regional action plan that focuses on bolstering surveillance, preparedness, and response efforts. Furthermore, the organization has allocated $1 million from its emergency fund to enhance response capabilities, with further financial support anticipated. To facilitate vaccination efforts, two mpox vaccines have received approval from WHO-listed national regulatory authorities. The expert committee on immunizations (SAGE) has also recommended these vaccines. Dr. Ghebreyesus has initiated the process for Emergency Use Listing of both vaccines, thereby expediting their availability, especially for lower-income nations that lack national regulatory approvals. The Emergency Use Listing will enable allies like the global vaccine alliance, Gavi, and UNICEF to procure and distribute doses effectively, similar to the collaborative approach used for COVID-19 vaccination equity under the COVAX initiative.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease endemic to specific regions in Central and West Africa, predominantly the DRC. Its transmission typically occurs via contact with infected hosts or surfaces. An increase in global outbreaks, catalyzed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the urgency of monitoring and managing the disease. WHO’s efforts focus on international cooperation and resource mobilization to identify outbreaks’ origins, enhance vaccine access, and ensure community-centered responses to control spread.
The convening of an Emergency Committee by the WHO emphasizes the urgency of addressing the recent uptick in mpox cases beyond the DRC. The findings from this meeting are critical to understanding the public health implications of the outbreak and developing effective strategies to mitigate further transmission. WHO’s collaborative approach with regional partners and investment in vaccines are vital components in the global response to this worrying trend.
Original Source: news.un.org
