The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, August 14, declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries.
"It's clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a news conference in Geneva.
Determining a disease outbreak as a "public health emergency of international concern" or PHEIC — the WHO's highest level of alert — can accelerate research, funding and international public health measures and co-operation to contain a disease.
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