WHO declares Mpox global health emergency

The World Health Organization, WHO, has officially declared that the current global upsurge in Mpox cases continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, PHEIC, reinforcing the need for urgent international response and support.

This decision was announced by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus following the fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee regarding the Mpox outbreak, held on June 5, 2025.

Dr. Ghebreyesus said the Committee advised that despite progress in response efforts in some countries, Mpox still meets the criteria for a PHEIC due to its increasing spread and operational challenges.

“There is a continuing rise in the number of cases, particularly in West Africa, as well as evidence of undetected transmission in other countries outside the continent,” Ghebreyesus stated in an official release.

He noted that these developments, along with poor disease surveillance, limited access to diagnostics, and a lack of adequate funding for containment, have made it difficult to implement effective response measures in affected areas.

The WHO chief confirmed that he has accepted the committee’s assessment and is issuing a revised set of temporary recommendations to help countries manage their outbreaks.

“These recommendations are aimed at guiding countries on how best to prevent and control the further spread of Mpox and address the challenges currently hampering global response,” he said.

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The full report of the June 5 meeting, including detailed recommendations for national health systems, is expected to be released in the third week of June.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has posed a significant health risk globally, with confirmed outbreaks in several parts of Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The disease was first declared a PHEIC on August 14, 2024, following a spike in cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its subsequent spread to neighboring countries.

Since then, the WHO emergency committee has met three additional times, each time reaffirming the continued threat of Mpox to international public health.

The committee’s recent concerns also included inadequate health infrastructure in some affected regions, low public awareness, and vaccine inequity that could contribute to further spread.

Dr. Ghebreyesus called on governments and international partners to strengthen their commitment to coordinated disease surveillance, invest in public health infrastructure, and expand diagnostic and treatment access.

He emphasized the importance of rapid communication, community engagement, and cross-border collaboration, particularly in high-risk areas.

The WHO also urged nations not currently reporting Mpox cases to strengthen their preparedness and ensure systems are in place for early detection and response.

Health experts warn that without stronger action, Mpox could become endemic in areas where it was previously rare, potentially evolving into a long-term global public health threat.

 WHO stressed that while Mpox is not as fatal as other viral diseases, its rising transmission rate, ability to spread undetected, and global reach are clear indicators that more aggressive containment strategies are urgently required.