On 14 August, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for mpox. This follows the Africa CDC’s declaration on 13 August of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security due to the rapid geographic expansion of mpox in the African region.
PHEICs are declared when a situation is deemed ‘serious, unusual or unexpected’ and threatens to spread to other countries, necessitating ‘immediate international action’. The declaration of a PHEIC can free up additional resources, boost international participation in response efforts and may include recommendations for travel or trade.
The rapid spread of mpox in the African region this year and the detection of a new strain of the virus, known as clade 1b, is a large reason why the Emergency Committee voted in favour of again declaring a PHEIC. The WHO highlighted that multiple outbreaks of different strains in this region will require a coordinated response to address the situation.
What is mpox?
Mpox is a disease caused by a virus. Symptoms can start with a fever and swollen lymph nodes. A rash which often starts flat and then develops into blisters can involve any part of the body including the face, mouth, arms, trunk, legs and genital area. People can contract it through direct contact with a sick person or with virus-contaminated objects, such as bedding or clothing.
We encourage our clients to sign up for our latest situational alerts via email, through the Assistance App, via our Online Portal and by logging into the International SOS Pandemic Preparedness website the mpox page. If you are not an International SOS client but would like to discuss this development, please contact us.
Our Experts Insights
Our health experts discussed the danger mpox represents. They shared recommendations to keep your workforce and communities safe from mpox.
- Situation Update: Mpox Public Health Emergency
- Point de situation sur l'épidemie de Mpox
- Mpox Outbreak Update and FAQs
- From Mpox to the Unknown: Preparing your Business for Emerging Health Challenges
Pandemic Preparedness
In today's interconnected world, disease outbreaks and pandemics pose not just a health risk but also significant challenges to businesses across the world. Effectively navigating the uncertainty linked to these events requires foresight, strategic planning, and the integration of expert insights.