WHO declares Mpox a global health emergency as cases rise in Africa

Nigerians online news desk August 15, 2024

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The World Health Organisation (WHO), has declared Mpox disease a global health emergency.

The WHO’s designation of Mpox as a “public health emergency of international concern” is intended to prompt emergency response by member countries and to begin preparations against possible outbreak of the Mpox disease in their territories.

It will also afford them the opportunity to share vaccines, treatments and other key resources with poorer nations.

This will be the second time in three years that the WHO has designated an Mpox epidemic as a global emergency.

WHO said the health emergency became necessary following the rapid spread of Mpox since the beginning of the year with the Democratic Republic of Congo alone reporting more than 14,000 Mpox cases and 524 deaths.