The World Health Organization has declared the rapid spread of a new strain of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in African countries constitutes a global health emergency.
Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, was declared a global health emergency on Wednesday. Here’s what to know about the virus, which has spread rapidly through more than a dozen African countries. https://t.co/gdnIuAPQRv
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 15, 2024
From the New York Times:
This is the second time in three years that the W.H.O. has designated an mpox epidemic as a global emergency. It previously did so in July 2022.
That outbreak went on to affect nearly 100,000 people, primarily gay and bisexual men, in 116 countries, and killed about 200 people.
The threat this time is deadlier. Since the beginning of this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported 15,600 mpox cases and 537 deaths. Those most at risk include women and children under 15.
The outbreak has spread through 13 countries in Africa, including a few that had never reported mpox cases before.
Read more at the New York Times. I vividly remember that global outbreak back in 2022. I was prepping for my first vacation following the initial thrust of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having gotten every COVID vaccine and updated jab, hubby Michael and I thought we were good to go. But then had to scramble to get the Jynneos vaccine, the only approved mpox vaccine (at the time) for use in the U.S. There were more than 30,000 cases in the U.S. in 2022. But that dropped to about 1,700 in 2023.
1/ Yesterday, the @WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). This is the 2nd time in 2 years that the WHO has declared a PHEIC for mpox. with @vladduthiersCBS on @CBSMornings pic.twitter.com/lB7hauO64E
— Céline Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA (@celinegounder) August 15, 2024
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