United States – Mpox has been invoked by WHO for the second time as a global public health concern within the same calendar year. This is the result which comes at the backdrop of a severe case that has been seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has infiltrated the neighboring countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Highest Alert Level Aims to Intensify Global Response
The seven working groups were created to advise the Director-General of WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on how to define a PHEIC outbreak. This level is the highest one seeking to enhance research, funding, and cooperation to help for better and strong responses to the public health concerns.
New Mpox Strain Raises Alarm
The outbreak, initially caused by the indigenous clade I strain in Congo, has now introduced a new strain, clade Ib, which is more easily transmissible through routine contact, including sexual transmission. The spread of this new strain has prompted serious concerns about its rapid transmission within Africa and potential global spread.
WHO Mobilizes Funds and Calls for Global Support
In response to the escalating crisis, WHO has allocated USD 1.5 million in contingency funds and is seeking an additional USD 15 million for its response plan. The organization plans to appeal to donors for further financial support. This week, the Africa Centre for Disease Control reported over 17,000 suspected cases and more than 500 deaths, primarily among children, in the DRC alone.
Ongoing Research and Vaccine Development Efforts
As of now, there are no vaccines for mpox, so WHO is prioritizing studying the modes of transmission and search for vaccine candidates. The organization is encouraging the countries with vaccines to donate and is looking for ways on how to control and prevent the spread of the virus most effectively.