WHO Declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency Amid Rapid Spread

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global health emergency due to its rapid spread across Africa and the risk of the virus entering other continents. This is the second time since 2022 that mpox has reached such a critical level, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported in Africa this year, surpassing last year’s figures.

Mpox is a viral disease first identified in 1958 among research monkeys in Denmark, with the first human case reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2022, the WHO recommended renaming the disease to “mpox” to reduce stigma and clarify that the virus affects not just monkeys but also rodents and humans.

The mpox virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals or people. Animal-to-human transmission typically occurs via bites, scratches, or direct contact with an infected animal’s blood, body fluids, or wounds. Human-to-human transmission can happen through direct contact with skin lesions, body fluids, or respiratory droplets of an infected person, especially during prolonged face-to-face contact. While rare, the virus can also spread by touching contaminated objects like bedding or clothing.

The WHO’s highest level of alert underscores the urgent need for global awareness and action to control the spread of mpox and prevent further fatalities.