Known cases
537
Deaths in the DRC alone
15,600+
Thailand confirms mpox case is clade 1b, second outside of Africa
On August 22, 2024, Thailand confirmed that a 66-year-old European man has been infected with the Clade 1b strain of mpox, marking the second case of this variant outside Africa. The man likely contracted the virus in an African country with an ongoing outbreak before traveling to Thailand. This is the first Clade 1b case detected in Thailand, although the country has previously reported 800 cases of the Clade 2 strain. No other local infections have been found through contact tracing. The Clade 1b variant has raised global concern due to its ease of transmission.
The first clade 1b case outside of Africa was found in Sweden on August 15, 2024.
WHO Declares Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) took significant action in response to the growing threat of mpox, particularly in Africa. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This decision was driven by the alarming spread of a new, more transmissible clade of the virus (Clade 1b), primarily affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
The declaration of a PHEIC underscores the urgent need for a coordinated global response to the outbreak, which has already resulted in over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths in the DRC alone this year. The rapid spread of this new strain, mainly through sexual networks, has raised concerns among health experts. The virus’s expansion beyond traditional endemic regions has further heightened the urgency.
Africa CDC Declares Mpox a Continental Public Health Emergency, Mobilizing Resources Across the Continent
On August 13, 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking its first such declaration since its inception in 2017. This empowers the organization to lead and coordinate health emergency responses across Africa, by mobilizing resources, enhancing surveillance, and strengthening health systems across the continent to combat the outbreak effectively. The declaration follows significant increases in mpox cases, with over 17,000 suspected cases so far in 2024, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This number could be understated given weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory testing, and contact tracing. The Africa CDC, under the leadership of Dr. Jean Kaseya, emphasized the need for swift action and international collaboration.
OTHER RECENT NEWS
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) took significant action in response to the growing threat of mpox, particularly in Africa. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This decision was driven by the alarming spread of a new, more transmissible clade of the virus (Clade 1b), primarily affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
The declaration of a PHEIC underscores the urgent need for a coordinated global response to the outbreak, which has already resulted in over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths in the DRC alone this year. The rapid spread of this new strain, mainly through sexual networks, has raised concerns among health experts. The virus’s expansion beyond traditional endemic regions has further heightened the urgency.
This week's actions by the WHO highlight the critical need for global cooperation in addressing emerging health threats, particularly in regions where healthcare systems are strained. The situation remains dynamic, and WHO's continued leadership will be crucial in preventing the further spread of mpox and mitigating its impact on affected populations.
