The World Health Organization (WHO) chief announced the convening of an emergency committee to determine if the mpox outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.
This comes amid the disease’s recent spread outside its usual regions.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on X that due to mpox’s spread beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and potential international transmission, the committee will meet under the International Health Regulations to assess the situation.
The committee, comprised of independent experts from diverse disciplines worldwide, will gather promptly.
Tedros noted the need for a global perspective to evaluate the outbreak’s severity and international implications.
At a press briefing, Tedros reported that the DRC had seen 14,000 cases and 511 deaths this year.
Neighboring countries—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—have about 50 confirmed and more suspected cases, raising regional concerns.
Mpox, once called monkeypox, is caused by clades leading to rashes and flu-like symptoms.
The current DRC outbreak involves clade 1b, causing more severe disease than clade 2.
Clade 1b is confirmed in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, while Burundi’s clade is under analysis.
