The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency due to a new outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, which is spreading across multiple African nations. There has been at least one case reported outside the continent.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the epicenter of this outbreak, accounting for 96% of all African cases, with over 17,000 confirmed across the continent. WHO has classified the outbreak as one of "international concern."
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, announced the emergency following the emergence of a new strain, identified as clade 1, which is primarily spreading through sexual networks. This strain has been detected in countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which have not previously reported mpox cases.
Additionally, a public health agency has confirmed a case of the new strain in an individual who contracted it in an affected African country and is currently in isolation. Health officials in Thailand are investigating a case involving a European man who recently traveled from Africa.
In contrast, cases reported in the Philippines and Pakistan have been confirmed as the earlier circulating variant, not the new clade 1 strain.
Dr. Tedros expressed serious concern about the rapid spread of this new strain in eastern DRC and its detection in neighboring countries, emphasizing the need for a coordinated international response to control the outbreaks and save lives. WHO is working with nations worldwide to improve vaccine access and containment efforts, estimating an initial funding need of $15 million for an effective response.
The U.S. government stated that the risk to the general public remains "very low," with no reported clade 1 cases domestically. However, the U.S. has recorded 1,399 cases of other mpox strains this year, nearly matching the DRC’s figures. The U.S. has also allocated an additional $17 million to support mpox preparedness and response efforts in Central and Eastern Africa, enhancing surveillance, communication, laboratory capabilities, and vaccination initiatives.
Globally, the risk assessment for clade 1 remains "moderate," with most cases confined to the DRC and its neighboring countries.