The World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped up its response to the mpox outbreak by declaring it a global health emergency. The declaration came on Wednesday, marking the second such declaration in the past three years as the virus rapidly spreads to multiple African nations.
Currently, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing the most severe impact of the outbreak, with a reported count of 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. The current outbreak has surpassed the severity of the 2022 episode, during which a similar emergency was declared.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was renamed in 2022 following concerns about the connotations of the original name. Health officials have since adopted the new name to avoid stigma and improve public communication.
WHO’s urgent call for action highlights the need for increased international vigilance and cooperation to curb the spread of the virus, particularly in affected regions. The global community is urged to support containment efforts to prevent a wider health crisis.