Snapshot 7:Wed, Aug 14, 2024 7:19:45 PM GMT last edited by KateHennig

WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Global Health Emergency

Africa:WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak Declared a PublicGlobal Health Emergency

Published AUG 14 2024

WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Global Health Emergency

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Above: Close-up of monkeypox lesions on the hands of a patient during the recuperative stage of the virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1997. Image credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Contributor/Archive Photos via Getty Images

The Spin

The latest strain of the mpox virus has quickly spread across at least 13 Central African nations. This outbreak demands urgent attentionglobal fromaction the world to avoid a worsening crisis. By declaring the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, the African health authority hopes to mobilize the resources needed to effectively address and prevent the virus from spreading further. Urgentcan globalbe action is required to help Africa procure 10M doses of the mpox vaccinemobilized.

Africa CDC

While a new strain of mpox is spreading in Africa, the American public is less aware and fearful of it than in 2022. However,The the majority of US adults know that individuals exposed to mpox can receive a vaccination for people with risk factors and to help prevent its spread. SoThis far,is onlyno Africa'scause centralfor and eastern regions have reported cases of the deadlier mpox strain, but the WHO must issue a global mpox advisory to inform the public of its likely returnalarm.

ScienceDaily

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 50% chance that the worldwide number of confirmed monkeypox (mpox) infections will be at least 6.7K in 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.