74
Mpox: New Variant and Potential Emergency Declaration
The emergence of a new and potentially more dangerous variant of the Mpox virus in Africa has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene an Emergency Committee. This meeting will assess the potential need to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Background:
- Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a rare viral disease primarily affecting central and west Africa.
- While the disease was eradicated in 1980, sporadic cases have emerged in recent years.
- A global emergency was declared in 2022, but was later brought under control.
New Variant and Concerns:
- A new variant, clade 1b, has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is spreading from person to person.
- This variant is reportedly more dangerous than previous variants.
- New cases have been reported in four African countries that had previously not recorded any Mpox cases.
WHO Response:
- The WHO Emergency Committee will advise the Director-General on declaring a PHEIC.
- Such a declaration would urge governments to:
– Increase surveillance and outbreak detection.
– Prepare for potential spread of the disease.
- The WHO has no authority to impose travel restrictions.
Previous Response to Mpox in 2022:
- From July 2022 to May 2023, over 3,800 cases were reported to the RKI in Germany.
- The majority of cases occurred during the early summer and autumn of 2022.