The World Health Organization (WHO) secretary general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared on Friday that the ongoing mpox outbreak can be effectively controlled and halted.
“This new mpox outbreak can be controlled and stopped,” Tedros stated during a briefing of WHO members.
He emphasized the need for concerted action among international agencies, national and local partners, civil society,researchers, manufacturers, and member states.
Since the global outbreak began in 2022, the WHO has received reports of more than 100,000 confirmed mpox cases.
Alarmingly, there has been an unprecedented surge in cases in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This year alone, the country has recorded over 16,000 suspected cases, including 575 deaths.
Last month, the WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern.
Cases of the Clade 1b strain of the virus have been identified not only in neighboring countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo but also in Thailand and Sweden, where previous cases were not reported.
To address the outbreak, the WHO and its partners have developed a Global mpox Virus Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. This plan focuses on implementing comprehensive surveillance and response strategies, advancing research and equitable access to medical countermeasures, minimizing zoonotic transmission, and empowering communities to participate actively in outbreak prevention and control.
The WHO has been collaborating with various international, regional, national, and local partners to improve preparedness against the virus and enhance coordination in key response areas. In the African region, where the need is greatest, the WHO Regional Office for Africa will jointly lead the coordination of mpox response efforts in collaboration with the Africa CDC.