WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the IHR Emergency Committee meeting regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024 – 5 June 2025
June 5, 2025
In his opening remarks at the 5 June 2025 IHR Emergency Committee meeting, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the alarming mpox upsurge, citing over 37,000 confirmed cases and 125 deaths globally in 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo alone accounts for 60% of confirmed cases. Despite the deployment of 2.9 million vaccine doses across 13 countries, only 724,000 have been administered. Dr. Tedros called for urgent funding—$147 million—to sustain surveillance, response, and vaccination efforts. Amid rising transmission and widening geographic spread, he emphasized the critical need for cross-border coordination, local engagement, and sustained international commitment.
In his 5 June 2025 opening remarks to the IHR Emergency Committee, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted a pressing global health emergency: the rapid upsurge of mpox. More than 37,000 confirmed cases and 125 deaths have been reported across 25 countries since early 2024, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for 60% of cases and 40% of deaths. This surge, he noted, has been exacerbated by ongoing conflict, fragile health systems, and the spread of mpox to seven new countries including Ethiopia, Malawi, and Togo.
Despite coordinated efforts, response gaps remain. Of 2.9 million mpox vaccine doses deployed to 13 countries, just 724,000 have been administered. Dr. Tedros underscored the need to address funding shortfalls, operational bottlenecks, and waning HIV program support that jeopardizes detection among high-risk groups. Surveillance, risk communication, and infection prevention efforts—particularly in conflict zones—are at risk of being derailed without urgent action.
WHO, in partnership with Africa CDC, Gavi, UNICEF, and CEPI, has expanded laboratory capacity, trained more than 500 community health workers in DRC, and coordinated with donors. However, the Director-General stressed that $147 million is urgently required to maintain the Mpox Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.
Looking ahead, Dr. Tedros called for intensified subnational preparedness, targeted vaccination, and robust cross-border coordination. As mpox continues to disproportionately affect African countries and vulnerable populations, he emphasized that sustained global solidarity is essential.
The WHO’s call to action is clear: this outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern. Global complacency is not an option. Strategic investment, local engagement, and equitable access must define the next phase of the response. The window to act decisively and save lives is narrow—and now is the moment to act.