On 13th August, 2024, the Africa CDC declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). The very next day, the WHO declared the disease a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The two public health entities are working closely together to coordinate an Africa-wide response. Global partners are joining the effort, with surveillance being sharpened on all continents. HJN will alert journalists to upcoming media dialogues where they will be able to get epidemiological insights, updates on the mpox vaccine rollout and access and hear what the most common questions and concerns are in the most affected countries. 

Acccess the new HJN Mpox Monitor by clicking the banner below:

Since the beginning of 2022, mpox cases have been reported to the WHO from 116 Member States across all 6 WHO regions.

A new variant of mpox has experts worried. It spreads more easily via physical contact.

The new mpox clade 1b is more deadly than clade 2 that caused a global outbreak in 2022. Clade 1b is fuelling a severe outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it is currently confined. But scientists say urgent measures are needed to contain mpox 1b due to its pandemic potential. It has been identified that this variant spreads more readily via close physical contact between humans – both during sex, as well as general physical contact in a household setting.

On 23 July 2022, with cases continuing to rise sharply, the Director-General of the WHO determined that the multi-country outbreak of mpox constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. It is important to be aware of what the mpox outbreaks mean for public health, and what must be done to prevent infections and care for those who are ill.

This One Health Toolkit provides a set of tools and resources to help journalists report on the mpox outbreaks, and is the first in a new One Health Toolkit series designed to help journalists better report on One-Health: the interconnections between the health of humans, animals & the environment.

*Consult a tracker like this one from the CDC for the latest figures, as the situation may change rapidly.