The World Health Organization (WHO) will convene an expert group to assess whether the escalating spread of the M-pox virus in Africa warrants a global emergency declaration, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, Mr. Tedros emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting the increasing number of M-pox cases reported beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He stated that he has decided to seek advice from independent experts on the matter “as soon as possible.”
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) recently reported a significant rise in M-pox cases, with the virus now detected in 10 African countries this year, including the DRC, which accounts for over 96% of all reported cases and deaths. The agency noted a 160% increase in cases compared to the same period last year, alongside a 19% rise in fatalities.
Alarmingly, nearly 70% of cases and 85% of deaths in the DRC have occurred in children under the age of 15, according to Africa CDC officials. The virus has also been newly reported in Burundi and Rwanda, while countries such as Kenya and the Central African Republic have identified additional cases.
In response to the crisis, Mr. Tedros announced that the WHO has released $1 million (£788,000) from its emergency fund to support efforts to combat M-pox.
Earlier this year, scientists identified a new, more lethal strain of M-pox in a Congolese mining town, raising concerns about its potential to spread more easily. The deadlier form of the virus can kill up to 10% of those infected and is primarily transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, including sexual contact.
In 2022, the WHO declared M-pox a global emergency after it spread to more than 70 countries, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men.
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