Geneva: In response to the escalating number of Monkey Pox (mpox) cases originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the World Health Organization (WHO) has convened an emergency meeting.
In a statement shared on various platforms, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the formation of a committee comprising independent experts. This committee is to be assembled at the earliest convenience to thoroughly investigate the situation.
"Given the expansion of #mpox cases beyond #DRC and the potential for further international spread, both within and beyond Africa, I have decided to establish an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations. This committee will provide advice on whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern," the WHO chief declared.
The number of mpox cases has significantly increased in the Central African Republic since September. Additionally, a variant of the virus has been identified in neighboring countries.
"The committee's inaugural meeting is scheduled to commence as soon as possible and will consist of independent experts from various relevant fields globally," Tedros posted on social media.
The announcement comes at a time when the DRC is grappling with an outbreak that has resulted in nearly 27,000 cases and the loss of approximately 1,100 lives, with a disproportionate impact on children, according to Al Jazeera.
The World Health Organization has reported that the virus has spread to 10 African nations this year. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have noted that over 96% of the reported cases are concentrated in the DRC.
Furthermore, the agency has highlighted a concerning trend, stating that the number of cases has increased by 160% this year, with a 19% rise in fatalities. The disease appears to be particularly affecting young individuals, with 70% of cases and 85% of deaths occurring among children under the age of 15 in the DRC, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The WHO declared Monkey Pox, also known as Monkeypox, a global emergency in 2022, marking the first time the disease has been classified as such.
