This latest strain appears to be more virulent and has been identified as clade Ib, a variant that has previously caused limited outbreaks in rural communities. The current wave is concerning because it is spreading rapidly in urban settings and among mobile populations, such as sex workers, exacerbating the challenge of controlling the virus.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the urgency of the situation. “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying,” he said. “A coordinated international response is crucial to stopping these outbreaks and saving lives.”
Mpox, characterised by fluid-filled skin lesions, has been reported in the DRC for over a decade, with an increase in cases noted annually. This year, the number of reported infections has already surpassed the total for 2023. Children are particularly affected, with two-thirds of cases in the DRC occurring in those under 15.
The WHO’s emergency declaration follows a recommendation from an IHR Emergency Committee, which reviewed data from affected countries. The Committee stressed the need for urgent global action to prevent further spread and mitigate the impact of the outbreak.
Vaccination efforts are crucial, but challenges remain. The Africa CDC is negotiating to secure 200,000 doses of the mpox vaccine, though this is far short of the 10 million doses estimated to be needed. There are also concerns about the effectiveness of existing vaccines against clade Ib. Current vaccine access is limited, particularly in low-income countries, raising concerns about equitable distribution and availability.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasised ongoing efforts to combat the outbreak. “Significant efforts are underway in close collaboration with communities and governments. With the virus’s growing spread, we are scaling up international action to support affected countries,” she stated.
The WHO has released initial funding of $1.45 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies and is appealing for further donations to meet the full needs of the mpox response. An immediate funding requirement of $15 million has been identified to support surveillance and response activities.
