The World Health Organization (WHO) has lifted the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) designation for Mpox
The decision, announced Friday by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is based on a sustained decline in cases and fatalities, particularly within the Democratic Republic of Congo and other previously impacted nations including Burundi, Sierra Leone and Uganda “We have also gained a better understanding of the drivers of transmission and the risk factors for severe disease And the most affected countries have developed sustained response capacity” Dr Tedros stated
The WHO initially declared the highest level of alert regarding Mpox on August 14th, 2024 Since then, an emergency committee comprising experts from relevant fields has convened quarterly to assess the outbreak “Yesterday, they met again and advised me that, in their view, the situation no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern I have accepted that advice” Dr Tedros explained
Despite this positive development, the WHO emphasized the need for continued vigilance The possibility of future outbreaks remains, necessitating appropriate surveillance and response capabilities “Sustained efforts are needed to protect the most vulnerable, including young children and people living with HIV” Dr Tedros noted
Mpox viruses continue to circulate The organization highlighted that monitoring and access to diagnostics remain patchy, response capacities are under pressure due to limited financial resources and community engagement requires sustained investment and coordination with local partners Increased financial support is urgently needed to underpin these ongoing efforts