The World Health Organization (WHO) announced it will hold an Emergency Committee meeting on November 22 to assess whether mpox remains a global health emergency.

Since August, WHO has classified mpox as a public health emergency of international concern due to its spread across Africa and the emergence of a new variant, clade Ib. This classification represents the highest alert level, highlighting the virus’s growing impact on public health.

As of November 3, Africa has recorded 46,794 confirmed and suspected mpox cases, including 1,081 deaths. The Democratic Republic of Congo has been the most affected, followed by Burundi and Uganda.

Mpox spreads through close contact and typically causes mild symptoms, though it can be fatal in rare cases. Symptoms include flu-like signs and pus-filled lesions on the body. In response to the surge, initial vaccine doses have been allocated to the nine African countries most affected.

What is Mpox:

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox. Though less severe than smallpox, mpox can still pose serious health risks, especially in regions with limited healthcare access. The virus spreads primarily through close physical contact, respiratory droplets, and contact with contaminated surfaces or materials. Typical symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches, and distinctive skin lesions or rashes that often become pus-filled. While most cases are mild, mpox can lead to severe complications or even death in rare instances, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Preventive measures include vaccination and hygiene practices to limit transmission.