What Is Mpox That Forced WHO To Declare Global Health Emergency? (Photo @MarioNawfal)

Monkeypox, once again declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation due to its rapid spreading in Africa, is causing huge concern across the world. The virus was first declared a global emergency in 2022 as it was found spreading rapidly being reported in more than 70 countries. In 2023, WHO lifted the emergency as the cases were declined.

The latest ’emergency’ declaration of Mpox follows the recommendations from an International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee, that convened to assess the information given by affected countries and WHO experts. The WHO also issued an emergency alert for the viral disease, underscoring that more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been reported this year. The figure has notably exceeded the previous year’s record.

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What Is Mpox

A viral infection affecting humans and animals, Mpox belongs to a group of viruses categorised as “Orthopoxvirus genus,” causing pox-like conditions including rash with bumps or blisters on the skin. The bumps are filled with fluid or pus and finally heal. The Mpox is akin to the now-extinct smallpox and other poxviruses like cowpox and vaccinia. Severe conditions include larger and widespread lesions in the mouth, eyes, and genitals. The condition might causes lung and blood infections.

The virus was first discovered in moneys in 1958 and then named as moneypox. The disease was first reported in humans in 1970 in a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus is spread through contact with an infected animal or human. It can occur through bites, scratches, or direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or wounds of an infected animal.

Amid growing cases, health officials in Africa called monkeypox an emergency situation as the two variants including a new type called  Ib spread fast. The new type is said to be transmitted more easily among people due to the contacts including sex. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in a post on X yesterday said that the situation now constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, adding that he has accepted the advice of the Emergency Committee on Mpox and is working with the affected countries.

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“The Emergency Committee on Mpox met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice. WHO is on the ground, working with the affected countries, and others at risk, through our country and regional offices, as well as with partners including the Africa CDC, NGOs, civil society and more,” he wrote on X.

Today, the Emergency Committee on #mpox met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice.@WHO is on the ground, working with the affected countries, and others at risk, through our…

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 14, 2024