National

WHO Director-General declares Mpox outbreak public health emergency of international concern

Aug 15, 2024

Geneva [Switzerland], August 15: World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has determined that the upsurge of Mpox (monkeypox) in a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), according to a new release published by WHO today.
Dr Tedros's declaration came on the advice of an IHR Emergency Committee of independent experts who met earlier in the day to review data presented by experts from WHO and affected countries. The Committee informed the Director-General that it considers the upsurge of Mpox to be a PHEIC, with potential to spread further across countries in Africa and possibly outside the continent.
The Director-General will share the report of the Committee's meeting and, based on the advice of the Committee, issue temporary recommendations to countries.
In declaring the PHEIC, Dr Tedros said, "The emergence of a new clade of Mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other Mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it's clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives."
Source: Emirates News Agency

More news

Vinfast India and BatX Energies Signs Landmark Agreement for High Voltage Battery Recycling and Repurposing

Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 11: VinFast Auto India, the subsidiary of global electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast, has entered into a strategic agreement with BatX Energies, a leading Indian clean-tech company specializing in battery recycling, rare metal recovery and end-of-life battery repurposing. This partnership lays the foundation for an integrated battery value chain in India, supporting the company's commitment to sustainable electric mobility.

Jul 11, 2025