The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in mpox cases worldwide, leading to the convening of an emergency committee.
Although confirmed mpox cases slightly decreased in June 2024, with 934 cases compared to 963 in May, WHO officials are concerned that the actual numbers could be much higher due to underreporting and reduced testing.
The emergency committee will discuss the spread of a new mpox variant and may consider declaring a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Similar declarations were made during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and during an earlier mpox outbreak in 2022.
Mpox remains particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
In June, the majority of cases were reported in Africa, with 567 cases, 96% of which were in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Europe recorded 100 cases, while 175 cases were reported in the Americas.
Testing for mpox has faced significant challenges, with only a quarter of suspected cases being tested. Among those tested, two-thirds were confirmed positive, indicating that the true number of cases might be underestimated.
Since late June 2024, new mpox cases have been reported in four additional African countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Since early 2022, the WHO has recorded 99,176 confirmed cases of mpox across 116 countries, resulting in 208 deaths.
There is growing concern about a new variant of mpox that was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023, which may be more infectious than previous strains.
The WHO said it will continue to monitor the situation closely as they evaluate the need for further international action.
