M-Pox remains public health emergency: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its decision to maintain M-Pox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), following a significant uptick in cases and the virus’s widening geographic spread. This high-alert status, initially declared in August, was extended after a meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee.
The move underscores escalating global concerns, particularly regarding the spread of the clade Ib variant, which has moved beyond its initial epicenter in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and now affects neighboring African nations, as well as parts of Europe and Asia. The clade Ib variant has been confirmed in countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and India, signaling the worldwide scope of the outbreak.
“Rising case numbers, the continuing geographic spread, and the need for a cohesive response have made it essential to maintain this emergency status,” the WHO stated in its announcement. In 2024 alone, over 46,000 suspected cases have been reported across Africa, with more than 1,000 deaths, most of them in Congo, where access to healthcare remains limited.
M-Pox, which is spread through close contact, typically presents flu-like symptoms and lesions, with the potential for severe outcomes in vulnerable populations. While many cases are mild, the virus remains fatal in certain instances, particularly in areas lacking adequate healthcare infrastructure.
The WHO’s emergency declaration also reflects the ongoing concerns from the 2022-2023 M-Pox outbreak, which involved a separate strain but similarly raised alarms about the virus’s spread. The current resurgence has led to an urgent call for increased global coordination.
In response to the escalating outbreak, the WHO has authorized additional vaccines for emergency use. Bavarian Nordic’s M-Pox vaccine, which was approved earlier this year, was joined in September by KM Biologics’ vaccine from Japan. Despite these advancements, the WHO has faced criticism over delays in vaccine distribution.
Officials from the WHO have defended their efforts, emphasizing that vaccination remains a critical tool in curbing the outbreak. “The emergency status underscores the urgency to mount a unified global response,” a WHO spokesperson remarked. The organization has called on countries and health partners to intensify vaccination campaigns and raise public awareness to slow the spread of the virus.
As the outbreak continues to evolve, the WHO is urging swift action to prevent further spread, reinforcing the need for international collaboration to tackle the M-Pox crisis head-on.
