WHO declares mpox as a global public health emergency second time

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years. The health emergency declaration came following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo which subsequently spread to neighbouring countries including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Mpox can spread through close contact. Usually mild, it is fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives. Mr Tedros said that WHO had released 1.5 million US dollars in contingency funds and plans to release more in the coming days. Earlier, Africa’s top public health body had declared an mpox emergency for the continent after more than 17 thousand suspected cases and more than 500 deaths this year, mainly among children in Congo.