Rise in Mpox cases: WHO keeps highest alert level

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained its highest level of alert for the Mpox epidemic due to the rising number of cases and geographic spread.
WHO had declared mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August this year.
This is the second time the infectionhas received the designation as the outbreak in July 2022 was also declared as PHEIC.

Abot Mpox disease:

Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus which was first recorded in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
It is characterized by symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and boil-like skin lesions. In severe cases, it can be fatal.
Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.
There are no specific treatments for Mpox virus infection.

Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC):

A PHEIC is a formal declaration by the WHO, of an extraordinary event that poses a public health risk through international disease spread, requiring a coordinated global response.
Established under the International Health Regulations (IHR) in 2005, a legally binding framework for WHO member states to prevent and respond to international health threats.
Criteria for Declaration:
- Unusual or unexpected health events.
- Risk of international disease spread.
- Requires immediate international response
Recent Examples include the COVID-19 Pandemic, which was declared a PHEIC on January 30, 2020, and remained so until May 5, 2023.