The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that Mpox no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to a sustained decline in cases and deaths.

• The WHO officially declared in August last year that the mpox outbreak outside the traditional endemic areas in Africa had already turned into a PHEIC.

About Mpox

• Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease.
• Mpox was first detected in humans in 1970.
• Endemic: It is endemic to countries in central and west Africa with tropical climates and rainforests
• Caused by: An orthopoxvirus, belonging to the same family as smallpox and cowpox.
  • Reservoir animals include squirrels, dormice, rats, and monkeys that transmit the virus to humans.
• Transmission: Mpox spreads through direct contact with body fluids, skin lesions, or contaminated objects such as bedding or utensils.
  • Respiratory droplets can also transmit infection, but require prolonged and close contact.
  • It can also spread through animal bites, scratches, or bushmeat preparation.
• Symptoms: Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, backache, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
• Preventive Measures and Treatment
  • Vaccines: JYNNEOS and ACAM2000, initially for smallpox, are effective against Mpox.
  • Antivirals: Tecovirimat, cidofovir, and brincidofovir are used in severe cases.
  • Preventive actions: surveillance, isolation, contact tracing, genomic sequencing, and safe animal handling.

About Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

• A PHEIC is defined under the International Health Regulations (IHR) as an extraordinary public health event that risks international spread of disease and requires coordinated response.

• Criteria for PHEIC Declaration: WHO must be notified if two of the following four conditions are met.
  • Is the public health impact serious?
  • Is the event unusual or unexpected?
  • Is there a significant risk of international spread?
  • Is there a significant risk of international travel or trade restrictions?
• Decision-making Process
  • The WHO Director-General, advised by the IHR Emergency Committee of experts, makes the final declaration.
  • Temporary recommendations are issued to States, reviewed every 3 months.
  • Member States must notify WHO of potential PHEIC within 24 hours.
• Past Declarations (2007–2020):
  • H1N1 Influenza (2009)
  • Ebola (2013–15; 2018–20)
  • Zika (2016)
  • COVID-19 (2020–2023).
• Polio is the longest-running PHEIC and Zika was the first arboviral disease declared PHEIC.
  

Conclusion

• The lifting of PHEIC status signals progress, but continued vigilance, surveillance, and vaccination are essential to prevent future flare-ups of Mpox globally.

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