Urgent Alert: WHO Declares International Health Emergency Due to Deadly New Strain

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Urgent Alert: WHO Declares International Health Emergency Due to Deadly New Strain

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Urgent Alert: WHO Declares International Health Emergency Due to Deadly New Strain

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its highest level of alert.

On August 14, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the ongoing monkeypox outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC).

This marks the second time since 2022 that the WHO has made such a declaration regarding monkeypox.

Dr. Tedros expressed deep concern over this outbreak, noting the emergence of a more lethal strain of the monkeypox virus rapidly spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This new strain has already spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—nations that have never previously reported cases of monkeypox. According to WHO data, over 15,600 cases of monkeypox have been reported so far this year, surpassing the total number of cases reported last year, with 537 deaths.

In response to the worrying spread of monkeypox, the WHO has recently invited vaccine manufacturers to submit expressions of interest for inclusion in the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure. This is a fast-track process designed to ensure the availability of vaccines and other medical products in public health emergencies.

WHO Raises the Alarm

On August 14, the WHO convened an emergency meeting under the International Health Regulations (2005) to address the sharp rise in monkeypox cases in 2024. After the meeting, Dr. Tedros announced that the situation has escalated to a PHEIC. He emphasized that the outbreak has the potential to spread further within Africa and beyond, posing a global health threat.

The WHO also released a statement indicating that the new, deadlier strain of the monkeypox virus is spreading rapidly in the DRC and has now been detected in surrounding countries that had no previous history of monkeypox cases. The Ib variant of the virus, which first appeared in the DRC last year, seems to be primarily transmitted through sexual contact. The presence of this strain in neighboring countries is particularly concerning.

Dr. Tedros pointed out that the current monkeypox outbreak is not confined to a single viral strain but involves multiple strains spreading in different countries, each with varying modes of transmission and risk levels.

Africa’s Response and Vaccine Initiatives

On August 13, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency for the continent and urged African nations to take swift action to prevent further spread. Recent data from the Africa CDC indicate that at least 16 African countries are currently affected by monkeypox, with cases increasing by 160% compared to the same period last year. Health officials warn that the risk of the virus spreading further in Africa is high due to the lack of effective treatments and vaccines.

In light of the rising number of cases, the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has recommended two monkeypox vaccines—Japan’s LC16M8 and Denmark’s Jynneos—for emergency use. These vaccines have been approved by national regulatory agencies in WHO-listed countries and some African nations, including Nigeria and the DRC.

On August 7, Dr. Tedros announced the launch of the EUL procedure for monkeypox vaccines. This authorization will expedite vaccine access, particularly for low-income countries where the vaccines have not yet been approved by local regulatory bodies. The EUL also enables global partners, such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF, to procure and distribute the vaccines.

To support Africa in combating the outbreak, the European Union (EU) announced on August 14 that it would donate over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN smallpox vaccine, produced by the Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic. Of these, 175,000 doses were purchased by the EU, while 40,000 were donated by Bavarian Nordic.

Monkeypox: A Continuing Threat

Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Initial symptoms in humans include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a widespread rash on the face and body. While most people recover within a few weeks, some cases can be severe or even fatal.

The first human case of monkeypox was identified in the DRC in 1970. The virus has primarily circulated in Central and West Africa. However, since May 2022, more than 100 countries and regions worldwide have reported monkeypox outbreaks. The WHO declared monkeypox a PHEIC in July 2022, a status that remained in place until May 2023.

Unlike previous outbreaks, the current surge in the DRC is predominantly affecting children and adolescents, with nearly 40% of cases occurring in children under five, including infants as young as two weeks old. Genetic sequencing suggests that the Ib variant underwent a mutation around September last year, increasing its ability to spread among humans.

Urgent Alert: WHO Declares International Health Emergency Due to Deadly New Strain

(source:internet, reference only)

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