The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared the recent surge in pox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African countries a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005). This declaration, announced on August 14, follows the advice of an IHR Emergency Committee of independent experts who reviewed data from WHO and affected nations. Dr Tedros emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting, “The emergence of a new clade of pox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and reporting cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying.
On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.” The Emergency Committee’s recommendation highlights the potential for further spread across Africa and beyond, prompting Dr Tedros to outline temporary recommendations for countries. The WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr.
Matshidiso Moeti, added that efforts are being intensified through collaboration with communities and governments. “Significant efforts are already underway, with our country teams working on the frontlines to help reinforce measures to curb mpox,” she said. “With the growing spread of the virus, we’re scaling up further through coordinated international action to support countries in .