WHO Chief Declares Ongoing Mpox Outbreak a Global Health Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief announced on Thursday that the ongoing surge of mpox continues to meet the criteria for a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations (IHR).
This declaration followed the third meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee on the mpox outbreak, which took place on Tuesday.
The outbreak, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread to neighboring countries, was initially declared a public health emergency of international concern by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on August 14, 2024.
The committee recommended extending the emergency status due to the rising case numbers, expanding geographic spread, ongoing violence in eastern Congo—hampering response efforts—and insufficient funding for outbreak management.
Tedros accepted the committee’s advice and endorsed its revised temporary recommendations for member states experiencing mpox outbreaks, according to a WHO statement.
The full report of the committee’s meeting is expected to be released next week.
