Global Health Organization Declares International Alert for Mpox Amidst Decreasing Cases, Stressing That "Crisis is not yet resolved"

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the lifting of the international health emergency for monkeypox, a decision made on Friday by the organisation's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This comes after a period of over a year since the emergency was first declared in August 2022.

The decision comes amidst a decrease in monkeypox cases in several countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, which have been the main locations for outbreaks in the recent period. However, it is important to note that the lifting of the emergency does not mean the threat of monkeypox is over.

Since 2022, over 150,000 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed worldwide, with at least 377 deaths. Sierra Leone has reported 5,200 cases and 56 deaths, while Uganda has reported almost 8,000 cases and 50 deaths. The African nations have been the main locations for the outbreaks in the recent period.

The first international emergency for monkeypox was between 2022 and 2023, with numerous cases in European and American countries. During this period, at least 18,000 cases of monkeypox were confirmed, marking a significant increase in cases outside of Africa.

The WHO maintains a continental alert for monkeypox through the African Union's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The African Union, through its CDC, has also emphasised the need to maintain active response capacity and continuous efforts to protect vulnerable groups, such as children and people living with HIV.

The distribution of up to six million vaccines against the monkeypox virus has been part of the response capacity. Tedros Ghebreyesus has urged against reducing investments, collaboration, and solidarity, especially with the most affected countries in Africa.

Despite the lifting of the emergency, the WHO continues to recommend certain preventive measures for monkeypox at least until August 2026. The possibility of new outbreaks and epidemics of monkeypox persists, and the organisation has issued recommendations to prevent its spread until at least August 2026.

Tedros Ghebreyesus has emphasised the need to maintain vigilance and continue efforts to protect vulnerable populations. He has urged against complacency and the reduction of efforts to combat monkeypox, especially in Africa, where the majority of cases have been reported. The WHO has declared that the lifting of the emergency does not mean the end of the monkeypox threat, but rather a change in the strategy to combat the disease.