ISLAMABAD, AUGUST 15: Under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared the outbreak of monkeypox (mpox) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and an increasing number of other African countries to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
After reviewing data from the WHO and impacted nations earlier in the day, an independent expert committee known as the IHR Emergency Committee advised Dr. Tedros to make his proclamation. The Committee notified the Director-General that the mpox outbreak is a PHEIC that might spread throughout Africa and possibly even outside of it.
Dr. Tedros stressed the gravity of the issue in his declaration:
The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the Regional Director of WHO for Africa, emphasized the continued efforts: “Our country teams are working on the front lines to help reinforce measures to curb mpox, and significant efforts are already underway in close collaboration with communities and governments.” We’re stepping up further with coordinated worldwide efforts to help countries put a stop to the outbreaks as a result of the virus’s increasing spread.
“The current upsurge of mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency, not only for Africa, but for the entire globe,” said committee chair Professor Dimie Ogoina, highlighting the global consequences. Originating in Africa, mpox was ignored there until 2022, when it spread over the world. It’s time to take serious action to stop history from happening again.
The two mpox vaccines now in use have been licensed by particular nations, such as Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and recommended by the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. The Director-General expedited vaccination availability for lower-income nations that have not yet received national regulatory approval by initiating the procedure for Emergency Use Listing for mpox vaccines last week. Additionally, partners like Gavi and UNICEF may purchase vaccinations for distribution thanks to this listing.
WHO is working with countries and vaccine manufacturers on potential monkeypox vaccine donations and coordinating with partners through the interim Medical Countermeasures Network to facilitate equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other tools.The WHO estimates that $15 million in funds will be needed right away to support operations related to preparedness, response, and surveillance. The Organization is doing a needs assessment at each of its three levels. WHO has provided $1.45 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies to enable an immediate scale-up and may need to release further funds in the days ahead.
