The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency due to a new variant of the mpox viral disease spreading in Africa. The outbreak has been found in 13 African countries, with the new form of the disease causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. The WHO Director-General has emphasized the importance of a coordinated global response to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.
The PHEIC declaration will prompt increased research, funding, and international cooperation to contain the disease, triggering emergency responses under the International Health Regulations. The DRC outbreak, which has spread to neighboring countries, has seen a new variant of the virus, clade Ib, quickly spreading.
Concerns have been raised about the alarming rate at which the viral infection is spreading, with more than 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths reported in Africa so far this year. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has warned of the increasing number of cases compared to last year.
The Red Cross is scaling up preparedness measures across Africa, particularly in the DRC, to contain the spread of the disease. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has expressed deep concern and pledged to play a crucial role in reaching even the hardest-to-reach areas with necessary interventions.
This is the second time in two years that the WHO has issued a public health emergency alert for the mpox virus, with the previous outbreak in 2022 largely subsided. The current outbreak highlights the need for swift and effective global response mechanisms to prevent the further spread of the disease.
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