WHO Declares Global Health Emergency Amid Monkeypox Surge in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the recent increase in monkeypox virus cases across Africa constitutes a global health crisis, as officials confirmed on Wednesday.

This declaration comes in response to monkeypox outbreaks in 13 African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Central African Republic, among others.

This marks the second time in two years that the WHO has declared an emergency related to the monkeypox virus. According to a Reuters report, the virus variants, now identified as clade I and clade Ib, appear to transmit more efficiently through regular close contact, including sexual activity.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reports that over 17,000 cases have been documented across the continent in 2024, which is a notable rise from the 14,957 cases in 2023 and 7,146 cases in 2022.With 500 fatalities reported, the Africa CDC has appealed for international medical assistance.

Monkeypox Crisis Intensifies in Africa

The WHO has classified this alert as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), which is the most serious alert level under international health regulations.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, expressed concern over the potential for further spread within Africa.

What is mpox

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox, now referred to as mpox, is caused by the monkeypox virus, a virus similar to the one responsible for smallpox. However, it is not related to chickenpox.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can transfer from animals to humans. Since 2016, there has been an increase in human-to-human transmission, as noted by Politico.

How Monkeypox Spreads

Monkeypox typically spreads to humans from rodents or primates via bites, aerosols, or contact with infected fluids.

Human-to-human transmission primarily occurs through close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions, or contaminated objects, according to WHO guidelines.

Protecting yourself against monkeypox

While health experts agree the risks to the general public are low, there are several precautions you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the virus.

Recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.K.'s National Health Service and WHO include:

• Avoid coming into contact with people recently diagnosed with the virus or those who may have been infected.
• Wear a face mask if you are in close contact with someone who has symptoms.
• Use condoms and keep an eye out for symptoms if you have recently changed sexual partners.
• Avoid coming into contact with animals that could be carrying the virus. This includes sick or dead animals and particularly those with a history of infection, such as monkeys, rodents and prairie dogs.
• Practice good hand hygiene, especially after coming into contact with infected - or suspected infected - animals or humans. For instance, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Use personal protective equipment when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected monkeypox infection.
• Only eat meat that has been cooked thoroughly.

Typical Symptoms of Monkeypox

The illness lasts between two to four weeks. The CDC states that within one to three days of infection, patients usually develop a facial rash that then spreads to the rest of the body. The fluid-filled lesions undergo several stages before they dry up and fall off.

The incubation period, which is the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms, generally ranges from 6 to 13 days but can extend from 5 to 21 days.

Common symptoms of monkeypox include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Muscle aches

According to the WHO, the symptoms of monkeypox are generally less severe than those of smallpox. Infected individuals typically develop rashes that progress through various stages before healing, as reported by the CDC.

The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota estimates that approximately 10 million vaccine doses will be needed to address the outbreaks in Africa.

Tedros announced that the WHO has already allocated $1.5 million in emergency funds, with plans to release additional resources in the coming days. The organization's response is expected to require an initial $15 million, with further appeals to donors planned for future funding.