The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the potential international spread of the mpox epidemic, previously known as monkeypox, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr. Rosamund Lewis, the WHO’s technical lead for mpox, highlighted the urgency of the situation during a briefing in Geneva, citing a significant increase in suspected cases in the DRC this year.
With over 13,000 suspected cases reported in the DRC, the figures have more than doubled compared to any previous year, leading to over 600 deaths. This alarming rise has prompted the WHO to send an evaluation team to the country. The outbreak, which has been endemic in parts of West and Central Africa, typically originates from animal-to-human transmissions but is now seeing an acceleration in sexual transmissions.
The WHO had previously declared a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022 when the disease spread rapidly in Europe and the United States, regions outside its endemic areas. This declaration was lifted in May this year, but the WHO continues to advise vigilance.
Recent developments, including the first reported case of the disease in Cambodia and a suspected outbreak on a cruise ship in Southeast Asia, underscore the evolving nature of the epidemic. The global outbreak has predominantly affected men who have sex with men, particularly those with recent sexual encounters with new or multiple partners, according to the WHO. This situation emphasizes the need for continued global health monitoring and response to control the spread of the disease.
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