The World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained the highest alert level for the Mpox epidemic on February 27, 2025, reflecting the alarming increase both in the number of cases and the countries affected. This decision signifies the continued global seriousness of the health situation.
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized the rationale behind this decision, stating, "The continued increase of cases and geographical spread, together with violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo which hinders the response, as well as the lack of funding to implement the response." This commentary highlights several key challenges, including the rise of violence obstructing healthcare access and the need for financial resources to combat the epidemic effectively.
Declared first as a public health emergency of international concern on August 14, 2024, the Mpox epidemic, formerly known as monkeypox, has swept through multiple regions, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being the most affected. The emergency status, classified under the International Health Regulations, is legally binding for 196 countries, showcasing the gravity of the situation.
Mpox is caused by the Mpox virus, which belongs to the same family as the smallpox virus and has been increasingly noted for its rapid spread. Humans can contract the virus through close physical contact with infected animals or individuals. It was first discovered among humans in 1970, when DRC was then known as Zaire. The disease features symptoms such as fever, muscular pain, and distinctive skin lesions resembling boils.
Since the outbreak began, WHO has reported approximately 128,000 confirmed Mpox cases across 130 countries, resulting in 281 fatalities. Among those statistics, the DRC alone reported over 13,000 cases and 43 deaths last year. Current data indicates over 2,000 cases have already been confirmed within just the first five weeks of 2025, evidencing the urgent need for international health measures.
The epidemic has evolved, leading to the emergence of new clades of the virus, particularly the original clade 1 and the new clade labeled 1b. This has exacerbated the situation, illustrating how outbreaks can resurface after containment efforts. Initially, WHO declared the emergency status due to the number of cases spreading globally, particularly affecting men who have sex with men, a significant demographic impacted during the first wave of this epidemic.
Last year’s campaigns focusing on vaccination and public awareness managed to curtail the initial outbreak’s expansion, leading to the lifting of the alert status by May 2023. Yet, with the re-emergence of the Mpox virus, particularly due to the challenges faced by the DRC, the WHO found it necessary to reinstate the highest alert level this time around.
WHO’s public health emergency status acts as a call to action, urging countries worldwide to heighten surveillance, allocate funding, and increase vaccination efforts against the outbreak, which is particularly acute within Africa and extends to global proportions due to international travel. Some other nations, linking their infection cases to travel to Africa, have reported isolated instances, indicating how interconnected global public health has become.
Given the breadth and depth of the current Mpox outbreak, it is imperative for health organizations and governments to collaborate, share resources, and establish comprehensive health strategies. The WHO urges all nations to commit resources and efforts toward vaccinating individuals, implementing awareness campaigns, and enhancing community engagement to curb the outbreak effectively.
Public health responses need to evolve quickly, and funding is urgently necessary, as Dr. Tedros highlighted, to materialize effective systems for epidemic control and public safety to mitigate not only the impacts of Mpox but to bolster future health crises preparedness.
The consequences of non-action against Mpox could lead to worsening circumstances not just for the affected nations but for global health at large. The vigilance and comprehensive action taken now will determine the future dissemination of Mpox and its potential threat to public health worldwide.