The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared Mpox a global public health emergency, marking the second time in two years the viral infection has reached this critical level of concern.

The declaration follows an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has since spread to neighboring countries, prompting urgent international action.

The emergency committee met earlier in the day to advise WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on whether the Mpox outbreak constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC).

The PHEIC status is WHO’s highest level of alert, designed to accelerate research, funding, and international public health measures.

“It’s clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” said Tedros during the announcement.

Mpox, which spreads through close contact, typically causes mild symptoms such as flu-like illness and pus-filled lesions on the body. However, in rare cases, it can be fatal. The current outbreak in Congo originated from an endemic strain known as clade I.

However, a new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily, including through sexual contact.

In Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 39 confirmed Mpox cases and nearly 6,000 suspected cholera cases since the beginning of 2024. The NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed these figures at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

The Mpox cases have been reported across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with no deaths recorded so far.

The NCDC is actively monitoring the situation and working with both local and international partners to bolster Nigeria’s response to Mpox and cholera. Plans to introduce vaccination efforts for high-risk groups are also underway.

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