The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the surge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African countries as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005). This decision was made by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus following the advice of an Independent Emergency Committee, which reviewed data from WHO and affected nations.
Dr. Tedros expressed grave concern over the emergence of a new clade of mpox and its rapid spread in eastern DRC, as well as cases being reported in neighboring countries. “A coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” he stated. The Director-General will soon share the Committee’s report and issue temporary recommendations based on their guidance.
WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts in collaboration with communities and governments to contain the virus. With the virus’s growing spread, WHO is scaling up its response through coordinated international action to assist affected countries in ending the outbreaks.
Professor Dimie Ogoina, Chair of the Emergency Committee, warned of the global implications of the outbreak, stressing the need for decisive action to prevent a repeat of the 2022 global mpox outbreak. He noted that mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected for years, which contributed to its spread beyond the continent.
This declaration marks the second PHEIC related to mpox in two years. The disease, caused by the Orthopoxvirus, has been endemic in central and west Africa since its first detection in humans in 1970. The latest PHEIC comes as the DRC reports more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths this year alone.
WHO is actively working to accelerate access to mpox vaccines, particularly in lower-income countries, and anticipates an immediate funding requirement of $15 million to support surveillance, preparedness, and response activities. The organization has already released $1.45 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies and is appealing to donors to fully fund the response.
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