The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday that the ongoing mpox virus outbreak remains a global health emergency, with over 37,000 confirmed cases reported since the epidemic began.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement following a meeting of international health experts, who noted progress in some regions but raised concerns over a significant surge in West Africa and continued spread beyond the continent.
Since the outbreak emerged in early 2024 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the virus has spread to 25 countries, resulting in 125 deaths. The DRC accounts for 60% of total confirmed cases and 40% of fatalities, according to WHO data. The virus, which causes a rash and severe flu-like symptoms, has also hit Uganda, Burundi, and Sierra Leone particularly hard, with the latter experiencing a sharp rise in recent months.
The WHO initially declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in August 2024. Last Thursday, its International Health Regulations Emergency Committee convened to reassess the situation and concluded that the emergency designation should remain in place.
“This decision is based on the continuing rise in cases, particularly in West Africa, and likely undetected transmission in some countries outside Africa,” the WHO said in a statement.
The organization also highlighted ongoing challenges in surveillance and treatment efforts, including limited funding and weak monitoring systems in several affected nations. It called for sustained international support to control the outbreak and prevent further global spread.
