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7mo ago

WHO Declares Second International Mpox Emergency Amid Rising Cases in Africa

The resurgence of mpox, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has led to a new global health emergency to mobilize international support.

A 38-year-old man undergoing treatment in Kerala's Malappuram confirmed with Mpox infection.
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Health workers walk between wards at the Mpox treatment centre at Nyiragongo General Referral Hospital, north of Goma on August 17, 2024. With around 16,000 cases recorded since the beginning of the year, the DRC is the focus and epicentre of the epidemic that led the World Health Organisation (WHO) to trigger its highest level of alert at the international level on Wednesday. The province of South Kivu records around 350 new cases per week, according to Dr Justin Bengehya, epidemiologist at the provincial health division of South Kivu. Goma, capital of the province of North Kivu, almost surrounded by an armed rebellion and where hundreds of thousands of displaced people are crammed into makeshift camps, fears a large-scale spread due to promiscuity. (Photo by GUERCHOM NDEBO / AFP)

Overview

  • Mpox cases have surged in Africa, with over 20,000 cases and more than 600 deaths reported in 2024, prompting the WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern.
  • The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing two major outbreaks of mpox, with one spreading primarily among children and the other affecting adults, including sex workers.
  • The virus has spread beyond traditional areas, with cases reported in countries like Sweden and Thailand, indicating a broader international risk.
  • Misinformation about the mpox outbreak has proliferated on social media, including false claims linking the disease to COVID-19 vaccines and conspiracy theories about global control.
  • Experts emphasize the need for global cooperation, vaccine distribution, and improved healthcare access to control the mpox outbreaks and prevent further spread.