WHO convenes 'emergency' meeting over outbreak of ultra deadly Mpox strain causing 'international concern' READ MORE: Congo is suffering mpox outbreak that could soon spread to US By Alexa Lardieri U.S. Deputy Health Editor Dailymail.
Com Published: 17:08, 7 August 2024 | Updated: 17:13, 7 August 2024 e-mail 43 shares View comments The World Health Organization has called a meeting of its Emergency Committee to address the international spread of a deadly strain of monkeypox . Director-General of the WHO Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that public health officials are concerned the virus has 'the potential for further international spread within and outside of Africa.' A new strain of the virus was detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo in April.
Experts said it was a descendent of the deadly clade 1 Mpox strain, but has evolved to become even more infectious. Now, it has spread outside the DRC, prompting the WHO to call on public health experts to advise 'on whether the outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.' The DRC is home to a densely packed population that frequently travels and moves across borders, raising the risk the new mpox strain would eventually spread beyond the country.
The WHO said the virus has now 'spread to previously unaffected provinces.' In the past month, at least 50 Mpox cases have been reported in four other countries bordering the DRC - countries that have not experienced the virus before. They inclu.