WHO declares Mpox outbreak in Africa a global health emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the latest outbreak of mpox (monkeypox) in Africa an emergency of international concern. The new epidemic follows a previous outbreak that occurred between 2022 and 2023.

The current outbreak, caused by a more dangerous strain of the virus, began in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 14,000 people have already been infected, and more than 500 have died. The disease has since spread to more than a dozen countries in East and Central Africa.

According to Reuters, since the start of 2024, 17,000 cases have been recorded across 13 African countries, representing a 160 percent increase compared to the same period last year.