Africa: WHO labels Africa’s Mpox outbreak a global public health emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox (monkeypox) outbreaks in Congo and other African regions a global emergency, as the virus has been confirmed in both children and adults across over a dozen countries, with a novel strain emerging. Vaccine availability on the continent remains limited. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) also classified the mpox outbreaks as a public health emergency, reporting over 500 fatalities and urging international assistance to contain the virus. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern over the potential for further spread within and beyond Africa. The Africa CDC reported that mpox has been identified in 13 countries this year, with the Democratic Republic of Congo accounting for over 96% of cases and deaths. The incidence of cases has risen by 160%, and deaths have increased by 19% compared to the same period last year, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths recorded to date