WHO Has Now Declared MPox As a Global Public Health Emergency Again

By
Shernice Sim
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I know that even the mere headline of it has most of our blood running cold.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency yet again. Yes, it’s the second time in two years.

The viral infection, previously known as monkeypox, has reared its ugly head in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is spreading faster than fake news on the family Whatsapp chat. It even began affecting neighbouring countries in Africa.

Now, if you’re wondering what a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) means, it’s basically a status declared by WHO to help speed up research, funding, and international cooperation to tackle the disease. Sounds fancy, but it’s essentially a global SOS call.

Mpox: What’s the Big Deal?

Mpox isn’t your run-of-the-mill viral infection.

It’s caused by a virus that can spread through close contact with an infected person, animal, or even contaminated materials like clothing or bedding.

(So, no, it’s not just monkeys.)

There are two main strains, called clades. Clade I is the nastier cousin, primarily found in Central Africa and capable of causing severe illness. Clade II, while milder, is no walk in the park either.

In July 2022, the widespread outbreak of mpox across various countries, spread mainly through sexual contact, was classified as a PHEIC. This status was lifted in May 2023 following a consistent decrease in global cases.

Now, this latest DRC outbreak started with Clade I, with previous outbreaks killing up to 10% of those infected.

Not only that, a new version, Clade Ib, is making waves. The difference? It spreads even more easily through close contact, including sexual contact, and has also been detected in previously unaffected countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

This prompted the WHO to pull the emergency brake.

To give you an idea of how bad it is, there have been more than 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths that were reported in Africa this year. That’s a 160% increase compared to last year.

The DRC alone reported over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths, surpassing last year’s numbers.

Why Should We Care?

“So? It’s happening on a whole other continent,” some may say

Well, aside from the obvious health risks, a PHEIC declaration isn’t just for show.

It triggers emergency responses worldwide, mobilising resources and efforts to control the outbreak. Think of it as calling in the Avengers, but for public health.

The declaration means countries will ramp up their surveillance, diagnostic capabilities, and public health responses.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also declared an emergency, the first in its history, due to the escalating situation. With more than 17,000 cases in 13 countries, including the DRC, it’s clear that this is not a drill.

For those unfamiliar with mpox, it typically starts with a rash that looks like chickenpox, syphilis, or herpes.

The rash will then progress to small bumps, and then blisters filled with whitish fluid. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

The illness is often accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. Definitely not the kind of souvenir you want from your travels.

But there is still good news for us: there’s a vaccine for mpox. Bad news: it’s not widely available in places that need it most, like the DRC.

The US is stepping in by donating 50,000 doses to help bridge the gap. The vaccine is recommended for those exposed to the virus or at higher risk, such as men who have sex with men. It is effective against both Clade I and Clade II.

Global Efforts and Challenges

WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasised the need for a coordinated international response to stop the outbreaks and save lives. WHO is committed to working closely with affected countries, leveraging its on-the-ground presence to prevent transmission and treat those infected.

However, this is easier said than done. Countries like the DRC and its neighbours are often lacking resources, making the task even more challenging. 

WHO has launched a regional response plan requiring US$15 million, with US$1.5 million already released from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies.

There are also half a million doses of the vaccine in stock, with another 2.4 million potentially available by the end of the year. The DRC and Nigeria will be the first recipients of these vaccines.

But vaccines are only a part of the solution. Containing the spread of mpox will also require increased surveillance, better diagnostics, and more research to understand the virus better.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, emphasised the importance of using multiple approaches to stop transmission.

The WHO officials are confident that with the right actions at the right time, the virus can be contained. This means enhancing cooperation, financing, and research efforts globally. The organisation has also signed off on the Emergency Use Listing process for mpox vaccines, ensuring that the vaccines are available where they are needed most.

So, let’s all stay vigilant, follow public health guidelines, and hope that this global emergency can be contained soon. After all, I think we’ve dealt with enough viruses in the past few years to last a lifetime. Stay safe, everyone!

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Shernice Sim