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WHO Declares Mpox to PHEIC
Context:
The World Health Organisation declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC). This designation highlights the global risk posed by the disease.
More on News:
An International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee of independent experts reviewed data. It recommended the PHEIC due to the mpox upsurge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African countries.
Understanding PHEIC
- A PHEIC, as defined by the IHR (2005), refers to an extraordinary event that poses a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease and may require a coordinated global response.
- This includes serious, sudden, unusual, or unexpected situations that have implications beyond the affected country’s borders, and demand immediate international action.
Key Highlights:
- The latest PHEIC declaration is the second for mpox in two years. The previous PHEIC was declared in July 2022 due to a multi-country outbreak that spread rapidly through sexual contact.
- Africa has reported 15,132 confirmed cases of mpox since the beginning of the year. Affected countries include Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, DRC, South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya.
- Two vaccines for mpox are currently recommended by WHO and approved by national regulatory authorities in several countries, including Nigeria and the DRC.
About Mpox:
- It is caused by the monkey pox virus, a member of the orthopox virus family.
- First identified in humans in 1970 and is endemic to central and west Africa.
- It is characterised by a rash and fluid-filled bumps.
- It exists in two main strains: clade I and clade II.
- It spreads through contact with contaminated items such as utensils, towels, and bedding.
- The disease also has a long incubation period (5 to 21 days), which can lead to undetected transmission across borders.
- Initial symptoms, such as fever and swollen glands, are vague and can be mistaken for other illnesses.
- Proactive measures by WHO and international collaboration with Africa CDC, NGOs and civil society to manage the current outbreak and prevent further global spread of MPOX.
International Health Regulations (2005)
- The IHR provides a legal framework for handling public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders.
- They outline countries’ rights and obligations in managing these events and ensuring international cooperation.
- They are legally binding on 196 countries, including all 194 WHO Member States.
- It specifies criteria for declaring a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC).
- It includes provisions for health documents and measures required for international travel and transport.
- Including Protection of personal data, Informed consent, and Non-discrimination in applying health measures.