The Blubber

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reclassified mpox as a public health emergency of international concern for the second time, following an emergency declaration from African health officials as the virus continues to cause outbreaks across the continent.

Mpox, which causes painful, pus-filled lesions and can sometimes lead to severe illness or death, initially surged globally in the summer of 2022, prompting the WHO's first international emergency declaration, which lasted until mid-2023.

While the virus spread rapidly through sexual networks and global case numbers eventually decreased thanks to widespread vaccination efforts, the situation this year is notably more severe.

Thousands of infections are now being reported in 18 African nations. A highly transmissible variant of the virus has spread beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and aid organizations report that even vulnerable newborns are falling ill in the country’s overcrowded hospitals. Health officials warn that these hotspots are lacking the necessary vaccines and treatments to control the outbreaks effectively.

So far this year, more than 15,000 mpox cases and nearly 500 deaths have been reported in Africa, marking a 160% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

"It's evident that a coordinated international response is crucial to halt these outbreaks and save lives," stated WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a briefing on Wednesday following a meeting of the WHO's mpox emergency committee.