Mpox Declared a Global Health Emergency by WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global health emergency, highlighting the critical need for an internationally coordinated response.

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 Mpox, a rare zoonotic disease formerly known as monkeypox, began to surge outside of its traditional endemic regions in May 2022. Since then, the outbreak has lasted over two years, spreading to over 30 countries. Typically transmitted from animals to humans and between humans through close contact, mpox presents symptoms similar to smallpox, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and a distinctive rash. The virus's case fatality rate is currently estimated between 3% and 6%, prompting urgent health measures.

The most affected countries include the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany, among others. These nations have reported significant clusters of cases, with more than 50,000 cases confirmed globally since the outbreak's onset.

WHO’s global health emergency declaration aims to mobilize resources, improve surveillance, and enhance public health responses. This status will facilitate expedited funding and support vaccination campaigns and awareness initiatives worldwide.

Some key statistics related to the mpox (monkeypox) outbreak:

1. Global Cases: As of mid-2023, there were over 87,000 confirmed mpox cases reported globally since the start of the outbreak in May 2022. This represented a significant increase in cases outside of the disease’s typical endemic regions in Central and West Africa.
2. Affected Countries: More than 100 countries reported mpox cases during this outbreak, highlighting the widespread nature of the virus’s spread. This was a marked shift from previous outbreaks that were largely contained to specific regions in Africa.
3. United States: The United States reported over 30,000 cases, making it one of the most affected countries. The high number of cases led to extensive vaccination campaigns and public health interventions.
4. Europe: In Europe, countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany each reported thousands of cases, contributing significantly to the region’s case count. Spain and the UK were among the first European countries to report mpox cases during this outbreak.
5. Mortality Rate: The case fatality rate for mpox has been estimated at around 3% to 6% in previous outbreaks. However, during the 2022 outbreak, the mortality rate was lower, largely due to better healthcare responses and supportive care measures available in affected countries.
6. Vaccination Efforts: Many countries implemented vaccination strategies targeting high-risk populations, including healthcare workers and communities most affected by the virus’s spread. These efforts were critical in reducing transmission rates and managing the outbreak.

As of the latest information available, Pakistan has been relatively less affected by the mpox (monkeypox) outbreak compared to other countries like the United States, Spain, or the United Kingdom. As the outbreak continues, the importance of a unified global strategy cannot be overstated. Coordinated efforts by international health authorities are essential to mitigating risks and ensuring public safety across nations.