The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox or monkeypox (mpox) a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The outbreak, which began with a local strain known as clade I, has now escalated with a new variant, clade Ib, spreading more easily through close contact, including sexual transmission.
This variant has not only affected the DRC but has also spread to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, raising alarm bells across the continent.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
WHO has released $1.5 million in funding and plans to raise an additional $15 million to support ongoing efforts.
This outbreak is of great concern as more than 17,000 suspected cases and over 500 deaths, mainly among children, have been reported in 2024 alone.
Efforts are underway to develop a vaccine and identify the most vulnerable populations to target.
The WHO declaration emphasizes the urgency, as the spread of new mpox variants could have severe global health implications if not addressed immediately.
