WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of a new variant of the highly infectious disease, mpox, as a global health emergency. This announcement follows a prior warning from the Africa Centers for Disease Control about the potential for the outbreak to spiral out of control without immediate action to limit its spread. The WHO’s declaration emphasizes the need for international cooperation and resource mobilization to combat the virus, which is already endemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to 15 other African countries, with concerns it could extend further globally.

• The WHO has declared the outbreak of a new variant of mpox as a global health emergency.
• This is the second time in two years such a declaration has been made for mpox.
• The Africa Centers for Disease Control had previously warned of the outbreak potentially spiraling out of control.
• The declaration is intended to mobilize medical, financial, and political resources worldwide to combat the spread of the virus.
• Mpox is endemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the vast majority of cases reported there, but has spread to 15 other African countries.
• There is a concern for potential spread beyond Africa, prompting countries globally to enhance monitoring and preparedness.
• The WHO is actively working on the ground, training staff, and focusing on vaccine and treatment development.
• Countries outside Africa, including those in Europe and the Americas, are advised to ramp up case monitoring and resource marshaling.
• The WHO has a funding pool of about $13 million for combating the outbreak but anticipates the need for more financial support.

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