*Fatshimetrie: The mpox outbreak continues to pose major challenges to global public health, WHO says.*
The recent announcement by the WHO Emergency Committee on Friday, November 22, confirms that the mpox outbreak continues to constitute an international public health emergency. This decision is based on the increasing number of cases and the continued spread of the disease across multiple regions, as well as the operational challenges encountered on the ground. In the face of these challenges, it is imperative to put in place a coordinated and sustained response across countries and partners involved in the fight against this outbreak.
Africa remains the continent most affected by this outbreak, with 19 countries having recorded cases of mpox since the beginning of the year. Canada has also confirmed the first case of Clade I mpox, linked to travel associated with the ongoing outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. However, the Democratic Republic of Congo remains the epicentre of the outbreak.
Authorities have reported that to date more than 50,000 people have been vaccinated in the worst-affected areas. A vaccination programme will soon be rolled out in the capital Kinshasa, underscoring continued efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Last week, WHO approved a second vaccine against MPOX for emergency use, following a rigorous assessment of the quality, safety and efficacy of medical products.
To date, Africa has recorded more than 46,000 suspected cases of MPOX in the current outbreak, sadly resulting in more than 1,081 deaths. These figures highlight the urgency and need for concerted and rapid action to stem the spread of the disease.
The MPOX epidemic therefore remains a major concern for global public health, requiring a collective and coordinated response from all stakeholders involved. It is imperative to strengthen prevention, control and vaccination measures to contain the spread of the disease and protect the health of the most vulnerable populations.