WHO Declares Emergency Over Monkeypox.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized that the rapid spread of monkeypox in African countries is a health emergency. Recently, the virus has spread from Congo to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

«The detection and rapid spread of a new class of mpox (monkeypox) in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the possibility of further spread in Africa and beyond is concerning», said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

This WHO decision is intended to encourage member countries to prepare for the spread of the virus and to assist poorer countries with vaccines, treatments, and other necessary resources.

This is the second Time in three years that WHO has declared an outbreak of pox, characterizing it as a global emergency. Previously, this happened in July 2022, when the virus infected nearly 100,000 people and led to the death of about 200 people in 116 countries.

The situation is now even more threatening. Since the beginning of 2024, over 14,000 cases of pox and 524 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The risk group includes women and children under 15 years old. In addition, the virus has already spread to 13 African countries, including those where such cases had not been previously registered.

Earlier, WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus convened a meeting of international experts due to growing concerns about the spread of monkeypox. WHO also updated the list of the most dangerous viruses, bacteria, and fungi that could lead to a new pandemic.