World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared a public health emergency of international concern after a new and more dangerous outbreak of Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) has begun to spread rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other parts of Africa. The declaration comes after an International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee presented data from experts with WHO and affected countries.
“The emergence of a new clade of Mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying,” Tedros said. “On top of outbreaks of other Mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”
This is the second public health emergency of international concern declared in a span of two years for the virus.
Mpox was first discovered in humans in the DRC in 1970 and for decades was classified as endemic to central and west Africa. However, in July 2022, multiple countries experienced outbreaks largely attributed to sexual contact that were disproportionately impacting LGBTQ+ individuals. This latest outbreak is manifesting at an unprecedented rate, mostly among individuals who participate in heterosexual activity in the region.
Countries bordering the DRC who previously haven’t reported Mpox cases — including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda — have started to see cases within their borders, triggering concern from public health officials.
Committee Chair Professor Dimie Ogoina said, “The current upsurge of Mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency, not only for Africa, but for the entire globe.”
Last week, the Director-General triggered the process for Emergency Use Listing for Mpox vaccines, which will accelerate vaccine access for lower-income countries that have not yet issued their own national regulatory approval.
Immunization Clinics in the Charlotte area are available to help individuals stay up to date with their vaccines by providing the routinely recommended vaccines for all age groups, as well as specific vaccines for high-risk groups. Mpox immunizations can protect our community from a dangerous infection that can spread quickly.
Among the sites for treatment in the Charlotte area are: the Huntersville Mecklenburg County of Health Department at 2845 Beatties Ford Rd.; the Charlotte Mecklenburg County of Health Department at 249 Billingsley Rd.; the Valerie C. Woodard Community Resource Center at 3205 Freedom Drive; and the Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center at 430 Stitt Rd.
For information on making an appointment at any of these locations call 704-336-6500. Hours of availability are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.