The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that the recent rise in Mpox cases continues to meet the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as outlined in the International Health Regulations (IHR).
In a statement, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, confirmed that the decision followed the fourth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee on the Mpox upsurge, held on 5 June.
Dr Ghebreyesus noted that while the committee acknowledged improvements in some countries’ response capacities, it advised that the outbreak still constitutes a PHEIC.
He explained that this assessment is based on the continuing increase in case numbers—including a recent spike in West Africa—and the likely ongoing undetected transmission in several countries beyond the African continent.
“Ongoing operational challenges in responding to the event, including concerning surveillance and diagnostics, as well as a lack of funding, make prioritising response interventions challenging and require continued international support,” he said.
Dr Ghebreyesus accepted the committee’s advice and subsequently issued its revised temporary recommendations to Member States currently dealing with Mpox outbreaks.
These recommendations, he said, are intended to guide countries in their efforts to prevent and control the spread of the disease.
He also mentioned that the full report of the fourth committee meeting will be released in the third week of June.
“The upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread to neighbouring countries was first determined to be PHEIC by Ghebreyesus on Aug. 14, 2024.
“Since then, the committee has met on three additional occasions, each time, advising the director general that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC,” he said
