The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened an emergency meeting to discuss a surge in mpox cases spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the meeting on Wednesday, as the outbreak in the DRC has resulted in nearly 27,000 cases and around 1,100 deaths, including many children.
Since September, cases in the central African nation have significantly increased due to a viral strain that has now been detected in neighboring countries. Ghebreyesus stated, “In light of the spread of mpox outside of the DRC and the potential for further international spread both within and outside Africa, I have decided to convene an emergency committee under the International Health Regulations to advise me on whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.”
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is primarily spread through sexual contact and is particularly prevalent among men who have sex with men. The exact timing of the WHO meeting has yet to be announced, but the organization has indicated that it will take place “as soon as possible.”
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, mpox has been reported in 10 African nations this year, with the DRC accounting for more than 96 percent of all cases. The number of cases has risen by 160 percent this year, while deaths have increased by 19 percent. The disease particularly affects young people, with 70 percent of cases and 85 percent of deaths in the DRC involving children under 15 years old.
The WHO classified mpox as a global emergency in 2022 after the disease spread to over 70 countries. Vaccines have helped mitigate the threat in wealthier nations, but have not been sufficiently available in poorer regions, complicating efforts to eradicate the disease and highlighting global health risks stemming from inequity in vaccine access.
Maria Van Kerkhove, who leads the WHO’s outbreak team, stated, “We do not want the world to sit back and wait. The time to act is now.”