WHO Declares Monkeypox Outbreak a Global Health Emergency

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​AFRICA, DRC. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the pox outbreak represents a “public health emergency of international concern.” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted on June 11 that this designation is the highest alert level under international health regulations. He noted that the recommendations from the Emergency Committee and the Africa Centre for Disease Control, which recently declared a regional public health security emergency, agree.

Since early 2024, over a dozen countries in Africa have reported cases of the disease, primarily transmitted through close contact, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for over 90% of the cases. The WHO describes mpox as causing skin rashes and flu-like symptoms.

"WHO is dedicated in the upcoming days and weeks to orchestrating a global response, collaborating closely with all affected countries and utilising our on-the-ground presence to halt transmission, provide treatment to those infected, and save lives," stated Ghebreyesus. 

"To support this effort, the WHO has created a regional response plan that requires initial funding of $15 million. We have already allocated $1.45 million from the WHO Contingency Emergency Fund and intend to disburse additional funds shortly. We are also appealing to donors to contribute to the remaining balance of the response plan," he remarked.

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