WHO: Mpox virus remains a public health emergency of international concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that the mpox virus remains a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), following a meeting of its Emergency Committee on Friday.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus accepted the committee’s recommendation, citing a surge in cases, wider geographical spread, and operational challenges in managing the outbreak.

Tedros urged affected nations to strengthen their response efforts and called for global cooperation to curb the outbreak.

The virus, formerly known as monkeypox, was declared a global emergency by the WHO for the second time in two years in August, after a new variant spread from Congo to neighboring regions.

Mpox is a zoonotic disease transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials. Symptoms typically include skin rashes or lesions, fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and general fatigue.