GENEVA, Switzerland: The infectious disease, Mpox, which is particularly prevalent in Africa, is no longer an international health emergency, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday, as reported by German Press Agency (dpa).
The WHO announced here that it was following the recommendation of an independent panel of experts to lift the emergency, which was declared in 2024.
The number of cases is declining in the most affected countries in Africa, said WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during a press conference at the organisation’s Swiss headquarters.
In addition, since the WHO declared the emergency, knowledge about infection factors and risks has grown. However, he warned that the danger has not yet been averted and that authorities must remain vigilant.
According to WHO’s data, cases have also recently been reported in Germany, Britain, China and Turkey. However, infected individuals in these countries almost always contracted the disease while travelling.
Infection with Mpox is often mild, with skin rash and fever. However, it can be fatal in young children or immunocompromised individuals.
At the end of July, the European health authority, ECDC, considered the risk of infection for people in the European region to be low.
Since the beginning of the year, cases have been reported in 81 different countries worldwide. Since January, 34,386 cases and 138 deaths have been reported to the WHO (as of August 28).
The WHO estimates that the actual number is likely to be higher, because not all cases are diagnosed and registered. – BERNAMA-dpa
