An Emergency Meeting of the Emergency Response Committee will be convened by Mr World Health Organization next week to determine if the mpox (monkey pox) remains a global health crisis, as the Organization states in its announcement today.
In August the disease, which continues to spread in Africa, was declared an emergency of global public health concern by the WHO, which constitutes the highest level of alert.
This followed the spread of a new strain of the virus, clade Ib, across parts of the continent.
This year, until November 3, there have been 46,794 confirmed and suspected cases in Africa, including 1,081 deaths, the WHO said in a report released today.
The most affected country is DR Congo, followed by Burundi and Uganda, according to the same source.
Monkey pox (mpox) is spread through close contact. It is usually mild but rarely fatal.
It provokes symptoms flu-like and skin rashes. Vaccine doses for the 9 worst-affected African countries were delivered this month.
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**Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Global Health Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Carter. The WHO has announced an emergency meeting to assess whether mpox (monkey pox) remains a global health crisis. Given the significant rise in cases and deaths in Africa, do you think the current situation warrants this level of attention?
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely. The number of confirmed and suspected cases in Africa is staggering, and the death toll is concerning. It’s vital for the global community to stay vigilant and respond appropriately.
**Editor:** The disease was declared an emergency in August, following the emergence of a new strain. Do you believe there’s been enough action taken since then to address the spread of mpox, especially in heavily impacted countries like the DR Congo?
**Dr. Carter:** While the WHO’s declaration was crucial for raising awareness, the implementation of preventive measures and vaccine distribution has to be ramped up further. Access to timely treatment and vaccination is essential, especially in the countries most affected.
**Editor:** Given that mpox usually has mild symptoms but can occasionally lead to fatalities, do you think that public perception of the disease might influence the urgency of the response? Are people taking it seriously enough?
**Dr. Carter:** That’s an important point. The perception of mpox as a ‘mild’ illness can lead to complacency, which is dangerous. Education about the potential risks and the reality of transmission through close contact needs to be a priority.
**Editor:** With the WHO set to convene next week, what do you think should be the key focus of their discussions?
**Dr. Carter:** The discussions should center around strengthening international cooperation, accelerating vaccine distribution, and ensuring that affected regions have the necessary resources to combat the disease effectively.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Carter. Before we wrap up, how do you think the local populations in the most affected regions feel about the global response so far? Do you believe they see it as enough?
**Dr. Carter:** That’s a critical question. There might be a feeling of frustration among local populations if they perceive a lack of urgency or support from the global community. It emphasizes the need for not just medical responses but also building trust and collaboration with these communities.
**Editor:** As readers, how do you perceive the WHO’s handling of the mpox crisis? Do you think the global health community is doing enough to protect vulnerable populations, or is there room for improvement? We invite you to share your opinions and engage in this important discussion.
