WHO maintains highest alert on monkeypox

On November 22, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to maintain the highest alert level for monkeypox (mpox) epidemic amid the increasing number of cases and affected countries.

WHO said the decision was based on three main factors: the increasing number of cases and continued geographical spread, the challenges of responding to the outbreak on the ground, and the need to establish and maintain a coordinated response among countries and partners.

After consulting with the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR), the WHO Director-General confirmed that the monkeypox outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern, extending the emergency declared on 14 August.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently the country most affected by the epidemic, followed by Burundi and Nigeria.

Mpox is caused by a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans. It can also be transmitted from person to person through close contact. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and large blister-like skin lesions that can be fatal.

The declaration of a state of emergency in August was made in response to a surge in cases of the new Clade 1b strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its spread to neighboring countries.

According to WHO, this year these and other mpox strains have been recorded in 80 countries, including 19 in Africa.