The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the persistent global threat posed by Monkeypox (Mpox), with 26 countries reporting cases in July alone. Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, delivered this concerning update during a recent online media conference.
Dr Tedros emphasized that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to battle a relentless outbreak, recording over 11,000 cases and 445 deaths in 2024, with children bearing the brunt of the impact. Highlighting a recent development, he noted South Africa’s re-emergence of Mpox with 20 cases, including three fatalities—marking the country’s first cases since 2022. Notably, all cases were among men who identified as men who have sex with men, without a history of international travel, indicating ongoing community transmission.
WHO has mobilized support for both DRC and South Africa to manage these outbreaks effectively. Efforts include enhancing surveillance, engaging affected communities, and strategizing immunization campaigns to curb transmission.
Dr Tedros also addressed separate incidents involving avian influenza H5N1, reported in the United States and Cambodia. Despite these cases, human-to-human transmission remains unreported, with WHO currently assessing the overall public risk as low. However, he underscored the importance of strengthening global influenza surveillance in both animals and humans to monitor potential risks and prevent outbreaks.
In response to these threats, WHO urged countries to intensify influenza surveillance, share virus samples with WHO collaborating centres, and enhance protection for individuals exposed to infected animals, particularly farm workers.
Despite ongoing efforts against emerging infectious diseases like Monkeypox and avian influenza, Dr Tedros highlighted the continuous impact of COVID-19, which still claims approximately 1,700 lives globally each week. He expressed concern over declining vaccine coverage among high-risk groups such as health workers and individuals over 60, urging prompt vaccination within 12 months of the last COVID-19 vaccine dose for these vulnerable populations.
Monkeypox, caused by the monkeypox virus, manifests with symptoms including fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a distinctive rash resembling pimples or blisters on various parts of the body. The disease is primarily transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, including sexual transmission.
The WHO continues to monitor and respond to these health threats, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures and global cooperation to mitigate risks and safeguard public health worldwide.