Mpox outbreak in Congo: What led WHO to declare a public health emergency

The Clade 1b variant of the mpox virus has recently been identified in the DRC and has begun spreading to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. (Image couresy: World Health Organization website)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the escalating mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring African nations a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The announcement was made by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, following alarming reports of a new, rapidly spreading variant of the mpox virus, Clade 1b.

Surge in Mpox cases

Mpox, a viral disease that has plagued the DRC for over a decade, has seen a significant and worrying surge in recent months. This year alone, the number of reported cases has already surpassed last year's total, with over 15,600 infections and 537 deaths recorded so far. The situation has been further deteriorated by the emergence of Clade 1b, a new variant of the virus that is primarily spreading through sexual networks.

Emergence of a new virus strain

The Clade 1b variant of the mpox virus has recently been identified in the DRC and has begun spreading to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. In the past month alone, more than 100 laboratory-confirmed cases of this new strain have been reported in these previously unaffected regions.

High case fatality rate

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to grapple with a high case fatality rate (CFR) for mpox, which was recorded at 4.5 percent in 2023 and has risen to 4.9 percent in 2024. In 2023, the DRC reported a total of 14,626 mpox cases, resulting in 654 deaths. The number of cases reported so far this year has exceeded last year’s total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.

Diagnostic challenges

The emergence of the Clade 1b variant has also introduced significant diagnostic challenges. Gene deletions associated with the new variant have hindered the ability to accurately detect and monitor the spread of the virus, complicating efforts to control the outbreak and provide timely treatment.

In response to the worsening situation, Tedros called for a coordinated international effort to curb the spread of mpox and address the challenges posed by the new variant. "The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are deeply concerning," he stated. "Given the ongoing outbreaks of other mpox clades in the DRC and other African countries, a united global response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives."

(Source: World Health Organization website)