WHO Declares the End of Global Mpox Public Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially lifted the international public health emergency status for mpox, following a significant decline in cases and fatalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other affected nations. The emergency declaration was initially made in August 2024 amidst a widespread outbreak primarily in the DRC, marking a critical response to a two-phase epidemic. This recent decision was announced after the WHO's emergency committee reviewed the latest data during their quarterly meeting.

According to WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the move to de-escalate the emergency status is based on the sustained reduction of cases and deaths not only in the DRC but also in countries such as Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. He emphasized that this improved understanding of transmission dynamics and strengthened response capacities in these countries contributed to the decision.

However, Tedros underscored that lifting the emergency does not mean the threat has disappeared. The situation remains a concern in Africa, where the virus continues to pose a risk of flare-ups and new outbreaks. The African Union’s public health officials also expressed caution, indicating that the current downward trend is not yet stable enough to lift the emergency at the continental level.

Globally, more than 34,000 confirmed mpox cases and 138 deaths have been reported by the WHO from 84 countries in 2025 up until July, with the majority of cases (over 15,000) originating from the DRC. The virus, related to smallpox, spreads through close contact and can cause symptoms such as fever, muscular pains, and large skin lesions, which can be fatal. The case fatality rate has decreased from 3.6% in endemic regions to about 1%, thanks to improved healthcare responses.

Despite the declining trend, experts warn against complacency. Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO’s mpox emergency committee, called for sustained vigilance and continued investment in vaccines and healthcare infrastructure. More than three million vaccine doses have been distributed across 12 countries, with nearly one million doses administered so far.

Mpox has two main subtypes: a more severe clade 1 and a less severe clade 2. The outbreak gained global attention in May 2022, especially affecting men who have sex with men, prompting a WHO declaration of a global health emergency, which was later lifted in May 2023. Recently, a resurgence was observed with both the original strain and a new variant, leading to the re-declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Since 2009, the WHO has only issued this alert eight times, highlighting the seriousness of mpox outbreaks.

While the end of the emergency does not signify the virus's eradication, it marks a pivotal moment in controlling its spread. Continued surveillance, vaccination efforts, and preparedness remain crucial to prevent future outbreaks.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-chief-global-mpox-emergency.html