The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. T edros Adhanom Ghebreyesu s highlighted the progress in containing the mpox outbreak , to the point that in the last quarter there were almost 90% fewer cases reported than the previous three months.
In this sense, the head of the WHO highlighted in a video the response of public health and community organizations to contain the outbreak, which caused more than 87 thousand cases and 140 deaths in 111 countries.
“While there is a downward trend globally, we know that the virus continues to be transmitted in certain communities and countries, such as in the Western Pacific region, and we continue to see cases related to travel,” warned Dr. Tedros in a message to to the authorities of the WHO Emergency Committee.
Here is the full message
President, Dr. Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele,
Vice President, Professor Nicola Low,
Dear members of the Emergency Committee, colleagues and friends,
It has now been a year since we began receiving notifications of multiple cases of mpox in European countries and in the Americas. In July last year, I declared a public health emergency of international concern due to the mpox outbreak in several countries.
In total, more than 87 thousand cases and 140 deaths have been reported to the WHO , from 111 countries.
Due to global mobilization and the rapid response of most countries, we are now seeing steady progress in controlling this outbreak.
There were almost 90% fewer cases reported in the last quarter, compared to the previous three months.
The work of public health authorities and community organizations should be commended. They moved quickly and comprehensively to inform people at risk, encourage and support behavior change, and advocate for access to testing, vaccines, and treatments.
Pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies also played an important role in helping expand access to these countermeasures.
Although stigma has been a major concern in the management of this epidemic and continues to hinder access to care for mpox, the feared backlash against the most affected communities has largely failed to materialize. For that, we are grateful.
While there is a downward trend globally, we know that the virus continues to transmit in certain communities and countries, such as in the Western Pacific region, and we continue to see travel-related cases.
There is no clear trend for cases in Africa. Cases continue to be reported in several countries in that region.
The danger of continued transmission remains significant in places with outbreaks, particularly where modes of transmission are not yet well understood.
For those who also have an untreated HIV infection, there is a particular risk.
Unfortunately, many countries are now slowing down surveillance and reducing access to testing and vaccines.
It remains important for countries to maintain their capabilities and continue their efforts, assess their risk, quantify their needs to respond, and act promptly when necessary.
Integration of mpox prevention and care into existing health programs is recommended as it will allow for continued access to care and rapid response to address future outbreaks.
WHO will continue to work to support access to countermeasures as more information on the effectiveness of interventions becomes available.
I await your advice on the state of the emergency and on recommendations for countries and for the Secretariat, as provided in the International Health Regulations.
