A deadlier strain of mpox is gaining traction in Africa — spreading beyond the borders of Congo where the latest outbreak is concentrated — and may be declared an international public health emergency.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both expressed concern about the spread, and on Sunday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated he may gather advisors to help him determine whether to raise the alarm.
“As a deadlier strain of mpox spreads to multiple African countries, @WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), local governments and partners are further scaling up the response to interrupt disease transmission,” Ghebreyesus posted on X. “But more funding and support for a comprehensive response are needed. I am considering convening an International Health Regulations Emergency Committee to advise me on whether the outbreak of mpox should be declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).”
The U.S. CDC will soon update its December 2023 health notification, informing clinicians “about the developing mpox situation,” the agency told NBC News on Monday.
Kenya and the Central African Republic declared outbreaks at the end of last month, and cases have leaped by 160% this year, of particular concern due to a lack of treatments and vaccines. Last week the Africa CDC said the virus had been detected in 10 countries on the continent, with Congo seeing more than 96% of cases and deaths.
With News Wire Services
