The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the mpox, also known as monkeypox, outbreaks in Congo and at least a dozen other African countries a global health emergency, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Cases have been confirmed among adults and children, and a new form of the virus is spreading, but the continent has low vaccine availability.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the mpox outbreaks as a public health emergency earlier this week with over 500 deaths and sought international help to halt the virus’ spread. Of all cases and deaths, 96% are in Congo, with cases up 160% and deaths up 19% compared to the same time last year. Over 14,000 cases have been reported so far, with 524 deaths. The new form of mpox spreading from Congo appears to have a fatality rate of around 3–4%.Â
Although WHO’s emergency declaration aims to spur donor agencies and countries into action, global response has been mixed, and Congo has not yet received any further mpox vaccines.Â
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk to the general public in the U.S. from the mpox circulating in Congo is very low.
