The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Wednesday (14) that the outbreak of mpox in Africa is a global health emergency. The announcement was made at a meeting with the emergency committee due to concerns about a more deadly strain of the virus, called clade 1B.
Independent experts from the committee met virtually on Wednesday to advise WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the severity of the outbreak. Following the consultation, he announced that he had declared a public health emergency of international concern.
What does a global public health emergency mean?
A “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC) represents the highest level of alert issued by the WHO regarding a disease, as provided for in the organization’s International Health Regulations. For an outbreak to be considered a global emergency, several epidemiological aspects are taken into account, including the potential for transmission, the susceptible population, the severity of the disease, the capacity to impact international travel, among other factors.
The alert emphasizes the risk of a disease spreading to other countries through international propagation, in addition to warning of the need for a coordinated international response to contain this disease. In January 2020, for example, Covid-19 was declared a PHEIC and, in March, it was characterized as a pandemic.
What is mpox and what are its symptoms?
Mpox is a disease caused by the mpox virus, of the genus Orthopoxvirus and family Poxviridae. The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with infected people or materials contaminated with the virus. The disease can spread through close contact, such as touching, kissing or sex, as well as through contaminated materials such as sheets, clothing and needles, according to the WHO.
The main symptoms of the disease are skin lesions, which may be accompanied by fever, body aches, headache, chills and weakness. According to the Ministry of Health, the time interval between the first contact with the virus and the onset of signs and symptoms of mpox varies from 3 to 16 days, but can reach 21 days.
Skin lesions may be flat or slightly raised and are filled with a clear or yellowish liquid. As the disease progresses, crusts may form, which dry and fall off. Lesions may be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet, but they can also appear on other parts of the body, including the mouth, eyes, genitals and anus.
MPOX cases in the world
From January 2022 to June 2024, the WHO recorded 99,176 confirmed cases of mpox in 116 countries. During the period, 208 deaths caused by the disease were also recorded.
Data from the situation report released Monday (12) by the entity show that, in June alone, 934 cases were laboratory confirmed and four deaths were reported in 26 countries, “signaling continuous transmission of mpox throughout the world”.
In Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo accounted for 96% of confirmed cases in June. At least four new countries in East Africa, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, reported their first cases of mpox – all linked to the region’s expanding outbreak. Ivory Coast has reported an outbreak of the disease, but of a different variant, while South Africa has confirmed two more cases.
*With information from Paula Laboissière, from Agência Brasil
Source: CNN Brasil
I am an experienced journalist and writer with a career in the news industry. My focus is on covering Top News stories for World Stock Market, where I provide comprehensive analysis and commentary on markets around the world. I have expertise in writing both long-form articles and shorter pieces that deliver timely, relevant updates to readers.
%20Moises%20Saman_%20Magnum%20Photo.jpg "Manu Chao, the review of Viva tu")
.jpeg "Roller dance, in Rome everyone is crazy about dancing evenings on skates")
