The Global Health Emergency of Mpox Comes to an End

May 12, 2023

In a significant development, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced the end of a global health emergency that lasted for 10 months. This decision was based on the recommendation of the organization’s emergency committee that convened recently.

Global Health Emergency

The global health emergency that has now concluded was caused by a disease known as mpox. This name refers to the condition formerly known as monkeypox. The emergency, which began on an unspecified date, ended on May 11. It lasted for a considerable duration of 10 months, during which concerted efforts were made to combat the spread of the disease.

Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

The WHO first declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022. This designation highlighted the severity of the disease and the need for a coordinated global response. The WHO reinforced this declaration in subsequent months, in November and February, underscoring the continued importance of combating the spread of mpox.

The Origins and Nature of Mpox

The first instances of mpox in humans were identified in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo region. It is classified as a viral disease that spreads through direct contact with body fluids. Although mpox has primarily been limited to certain West and Central African nations, last year witnessed a rapid global spread across the globe.

Cases and Impact

During the mpox outbreak, a total of 87,000 cases and 140 deaths were reported across 111 countries. The disease manifests through symptoms such as fever, muscular aches, and large boil-like skin lesions.

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