The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern on Wednesday due to the spread of a new variant of monkeypox, known as mpox, in Africa.
This is the second occasion that the organization has activated the maximum alert level for this disease and the eighth in the history of the International Health Regulations.
The alert was issued after the rapid spread of a new clade of mpox was confirmed in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its detection in neighboring countries.
"The situation is very concerning, and a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, at a press conference.
The spread of an endemic strain, known as clade I, began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); however, a new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact.
Dimie Ogoina, director of the WHO Emergency Committee, noted that the disease is affecting vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women, and highlighted the potential for greater international spread.
The virus has already caused 15,000 cases and 461 deaths this year, with a 160% increase in the number of infections compared to the previous year, according to WHO statistics.
Most cases are reported in the DRC, although the virus is spreading to countries like Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.
The current clade seems to be more lethal than previous ones, with an approximate mortality rate of 3% in positive cases in Africa, a figure that could be higher due to inadequate diagnosis and limited healthcare capacities, warns the organization.
In response to the emergency, the WHO is in contact with vaccine manufacturers and countries with stockpiles, coordinating efforts to address the health crisis.
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