WHO Convenes Emergency Committee Due to Mpox Spread in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened an emergency committee in response to the spread of Mpox viruses in Africa. This decision comes as the virus spreads beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising concerns about potential international transmission.

The committee, consisting of independent experts from various fields, will meet as soon as possible to advise WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on whether to declare the highest level of health emergency. Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, was declared a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022 and ended in May 2023. The virus, which primarily affects men who have sex with men, has seen a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Efforts to contain the disease include vaccines and classic public health measures.