- WHO chief convenes emergency committee for Mpox
In light of a concerning variant of the dangerous disease Mpox in Africa, the WHO's Emergency Committee is set to convene soon. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced this at a press conference in Geneva. The Emergency Committee advises the Director-General on whether the WHO should declare a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC).
New cases have been reported from four African countries that had no previous Mpox cases: Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. The risk is that the disease could spread further and reach distant countries, said Mpox expert Rosamund Lewis. The world is highly interconnected through international travel. However, the WHO emphasized that it does not recommend travel restrictions. Instead, people should be informed about risks, and authorities should be vigilant to detect outbreaks early.
What declaring an emergency means
Declaring such an emergency prompts the WHO to urge governments to strengthen their surveillance, look out for outbreaks, and prepare for potential spread. All measures are decided by governments, and the WHO has no authority to enforce them.
From July 2022 to May 2023, the WHO had already declared an Mpox emergency. At that time, there were cases in many countries, including Germany. However, a new variant, Clade 1b, has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023, which the WHO says "could be more dangerous than previous variants. It spreads from person to person.
Mpox causes skin rashes, and affected individuals often develop high fever and muscle aches. The disease is particularly dangerous for children. The Emergency Committee consists of independent experts. The exact date of their meeting is not yet clear. Mpox was previously known as "monkeypox."
The European Union should pay close attention to the ongoing Mpox situation, given its interconnected nature with other global regions. The European Union, as part of the globally interconnected world, should be aware of the potential spread of Mpox outside of Africa, as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
