The World Health Organization announced on Friday that Mpox is no longer considered a global public health emergency, following a steady decline in cases and fatalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other impacted nations.
“Lifting the emergency status does not imply that the threat has vanished or that our efforts will cease,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a press conference, after removing the UN health agency’s top emergency classification, which had been in effect for over a year.
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Understanding a Public Health Emergency
A “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) is WHO’s highest level of alert, declared when diseases spread in novel or unexpected ways, aiming to spur international collaboration and funding to combat an outbreak.
Recognizing Mpox Symptoms
According to WHO, symptoms typically appear within a week of exposure but can emerge between 1 and 21 days later.
Symptoms generally last 2 to 4 weeks but may persist longer in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Common symptoms include:
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A rash that starts as a flat sore, developing into a blister that can be itchy or painful
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Fever
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Sore throat
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Headache
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Muscle aches
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Back pain
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Fatigue
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Enlarged lymph nodes
How Mpox Spreads
Mpox spreads through direct contact with infectious skin or lesions. This includes talking, breathing, touching, and close contact. Respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from close proximity can also transmit the virus.
It can also be contracted from contaminated items like clothing or linens, through injuries from sharps in healthcare, or in community settings such as tattoo studios.
Preventing Mpox
Prevention of Mpox involves vaccination. The vaccine should be administered within 4 days of exposure to someone with Mpox (or up to 14 days if no symptoms are present).
During an outbreak, individuals at higher risk, such as healthcare workers, are advised to receive the vaccine first, according to WHO.
