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  • GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African countries a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), signaling a critical escalation in response efforts.

GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African countries a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), signaling a critical escalation in response efforts.

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According to South African Government News Agency, the decision follows recommendations from an IHR Emergency Committee, which convened on Wednesday to analyze the latest data on the outbreaks. The committee pointed to the emergence of a new clade of Mpox in eastern DRC and its rapid spread to neighboring countries, necessitating an international coordinated response to mitigate the situation and prevent further spread.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized that significant efforts are underway to control the virus, with WHO country teams actively working to reinforce local measures. The organization is scaling up its efforts through coordinated international actions to support affected countries.

The urgency of the situation is compounded by the spread of a sexually transmissible strain of the Mpox virus, highlighting the global threat it poses. The current strain, clade 1b, has been particularly concerning due to its rapid dissemination through sexual networks and its detection across borders.

The WHO first declared a multi-country Mpox outbreak as a PHEIC in 2022 after it spread to countries previously unaffected by the virus. Although this declaration was lifted in May 2023 following a decline in cases, the virus has been persistently active in the DRC, with a steady increase in reported cases over the years. In 2023 alone, the region has seen over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths, surpassing the totals from the previous year.

In response to the escalating crisis, the WHO is coordinating with vaccine manufacturers and countries for potential vaccine donations and is working through the interim Medical Countermeasures Network to ensure equitable access to vaccines and other medical resources. An initial funding requirement of US$ 15 million has been set to support surveillance, preparedness, and response activities, with the WHO already allocating US$ 1.45 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies for immediate action.

The organization is calling for substantial donor support to meet the full needs of the ongoing response to the Mpox outbreaks.