The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the significant increase in monkeypox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and an increasing number of countries in Africa “constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (global health emergency) under the International Health Regulations (2005).”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated that this global health emergency is concerning due to the emergence and rapid spread of a new biological variant of the MboX virus in eastern DRC and the reporting of infections in several neighboring countries.
“The emergence of other biological branches of the virus in the DRC and in other African countries shows that a coordinated international response is necessary to end these outbreaks and save lives.”
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, mentioned that “considerable efforts are already underway in close collaboration with local communities and governments.”
“Our national teams are working on the front lines to help strengthen measures to curb the outbreak as the virus spreads, and we are expanding our activities through coordinated international action to assist countries in stopping these outbreaks.”
Last week, the Director-General initiated the emergency use protocol (EUP) process for Imbox vaccines, which will expedite access to vaccines in low-income countries that have not yet issued their national regulatory approvals.
The emergency use protocol also enables partners, including the Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI) and UNICEF, to purchase vaccines for distribution.
WHO is collaborating with countries and vaccine manufacturers to mobilize potential vaccine donations and coordinates its activities with those of its partners under the interim medical countermeasures network to facilitate equitable access to vaccines, treatments, diagnostics, and other tools.
WHO anticipates an immediate funding need of $15 million to support surveillance, preparedness, and response activities, with needs being assessed at all three levels of the organization.
To enable the immediate scaling up of the response, WHO has released $1.45 million from its emergency reserve fund and may release more in the coming days and has appealed to donors to fund the entire response needs.
According to WHO, this marks the second declaration of “global health emergency” for Impox in two years. Impox, caused by a variola virus, was first detected in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is an endemic disease in Central and West African countries.
In July 2022, a global health emergency was declared due to an outbreak of smallpox in several countries, with rapid sexual transmission in a group of countries where the virus had never been observed before.
The end of the global health emergency was declared in May 2023 after a continuous decline.
Cases of Impox have been reported in the DRC for over ten years, with a steady increase in the number of cases during this period.
Last year, reported cases surged dramatically, and the number of cases reported since the beginning of the year has exceeded last year’s total, with over 15,600 infections and 537 deaths.
Last month, more than 100 laboratory-confirmed category 1b cases were reported in four neighboring countries of the DRC that had not yet reported cases of EMPEX infection: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Experts believe that the actual number of cases is higher as a large number of cases with clinical symptoms compatible with the disease have not been tested.
There have been several outbreaks of different variants of the virus in various countries, with variable modes of transmission and severity.
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) of WHO has recommended the two vaccines currently used for Impox, which are also approved by the national regulatory authorities listed by WHO, as well as by some countries, including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently emphasized the growing public health emergency regarding monkeypox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African nations. This declaration raises concerns about global health trends and intervention strategies that could shape the future approach to infectious disease outbreaks.
With the rapid emergence of a new biological variant of the MboX virus, a coordinated international response is deemed essential to mitigate these outbreaks effectively. The WHO’s proactive steps, such as the launch of the emergency use protocol for Imbox vaccines, indicate a shift towards accelerated vaccine distribution, particularly in low-income nations lacking national regulatory approvals.
Financial support plays a critical role in these initiatives. The WHO’s call for an immediate $15 million funding target illustrates the urgency needed for surveillance and response activities. The allocation of emergency funds—like the recent $1.45 million from their reserve—expresses the necessity for quick action amidst rising case numbers, which have exceeded prior annual totals.
As monkeypox cases continue to rise, particularly in previously unaffected countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, the potential for the disease’s spread beyond endemic regions increases. The significant reported increase in cases and the observed transmission suggest that future trends may include heightened cross-border collaborations and enhanced health communications to raise awareness and preparedness.
The importance of reliable data collection cannot be understated. Experts caution that actual case numbers may be significantly higher due to undiagnosed individuals, highlighting the need for improved testing capacities across the continent. Establishing robust surveillance and healthcare frameworks will be fundamental as countries work to address potential future outbreaks.
Finally, the WHO’s recommendations for vaccine usage and the approval of vaccines by national regulatory authorities could pave the way for ongoing vaccination campaigns. As the landscape of infectious diseases evolves, the integration of vaccination strategies into national health policies may become a core component of preventative health measures in Africa and beyond.