Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Monday, stated that Mpox upsurge has continued to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern as stated in the International Health Regulations.
A statement by the world body said it followed the fourth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the mpox upsurge, held on 5 June, 2025.
The committee recognised progress in response capacity in certain countries and “advised the Director-General that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC, based on the continuing rise in the number of cases, including a recent increase in West Africa, and likely ongoing undetected transmission in some countries beyond the African continent.”
The committee also highlighted ongoing operational challenges in responding to the outbreak, including concerns over surveillance and diagnostics.
“The Director-General concurred with the committee’s advice. The Director-General also endorsed and issued the committee’s revised temporary recommendations to member states experiencing mpox outbreaks. These recommendations guide countries’ efforts to prevent and control the spread of the disease,” the statement added.
There was upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and it spread to neighbouring countries.
It was first declared a public health emergency of international concern by the Director-General on 14 August 2024.