The World Health Organization has officially declared the recent Monkeypox outbreak in Africa a global public health emergency.
This declaration, made on August 14, 2024, represents the highest level of alert the WHO can issue.
The WHO’s emergency committee has determined that the escalating situation warrants this urgent designation, which activates international emergency responses under the International Health Regulations.
This marks a second declaration for mpox, differing from the previous outbreak caused by a different strain of the virus.
The current surge, driven by the more virulent clade 1b strain, began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in September 2023 and is proving more severe than earlier cases.
Mpox, known for causing fever, muscle pain, and large skin lesions, is spread through close contact between infected individuals and animals.
Previously, mpox outbreaks led to a global health emergency status from July 2022 to May 2023, with significant impact primarily among gay and bisexual men.
This outbreak resulted in approximately 140 deaths out of 90,000 cases before it subsided.
