WHO Convenes Emergency Meeting Amid Growing Mpox Concerns

In response to the escalating mpox outbreak primarily centered in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) is convening an emergency committee, Xinhua reported yesterday.

The outbreak, which began in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earlier this year, has seen a rapid increase in cases across the African continent. Over 2,000 cases and 13 deaths have been reported so far in 2024, a significant surge compared to the 1,145 cases and seven deaths recorded in the entirety of 2023. Notably, four countries – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda – have reported cases for the first time.

A new, more transmissible variant of the mpox virus has been detected in the DRC and has spread to neighboring countries. While the primary mode of transmission in the DRC is through sexual contact, the pattern varies across the region.

The WHO is working closely with African nations to strengthen surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment capabilities. Vaccination strategies are being developed, and efforts are underway to raise awareness about the disease among communities. However, the organization emphasizes that vaccines are just one component of the response, and prevention through education remains crucial.