Context

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared that Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This decision follows a sustained global decline in Mpox cases and deaths, signaling successful containment and public health response to the outbreak.

About Mpox:

• Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus.
• First identified in monkeys in 1958 and in humans in 1970 in the DRC.
• The natural reservoir remains unclear, but small mammals such as rodents and monkeys are considered potential carriers.

Subtypes (Clades) of Mpox

Clade I

·         Endemic to Central Africa.

·         Known to cause more severe illness and higher fatality rates.

·         Recent outbreaks, however, have been less deadly.

Clade II

·         Endemic to East Africa.

·         Associated with the global Mpox outbreak since 2022.

·         Typically less fatal than Clade I.

Symptoms and Spread:

• Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes.
• Progression: Rash begins on the face/genitals and spreads to the body; lesions develop into scabs.
• Transmission:
• Human-to-human: Close contact (skin-to-skin, respiratory droplets, contaminated items).
• Animal-to-human: Bites, scratches, or contact with infected animals.

Most patients recover within weeks, but young children, people with HIV, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of severe illness.

Treatment and Prevention:

• No specific antiviral treatment approved globally.
• Supportive care is primary: hydration, nutrition, pain relief, and infection control.
• Experimental antiviral (e.g., tecovirimat) used in severe cases.

Why WHO Ended the Global Emergency?

• Sharp decline in global cases and fatalities.
• Better understanding of:
• Transmission pathways
• Risk factors
• Regional disease dynamics
• Most affected countries have developed sustained response capacity.

Conclusion:

The WHO’s decision to lift the global emergency tag for Mpox marks a milestone in international public health response. However, the situation in Africa is a stark reminder of global health inequities. Strengthening disease surveillance, health infrastructure, and international collaboration is essential to ensure that localized outbreaks do not escalate into global threats.