– WHO Director-General has declared the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in Africa as a public health emergency of international concern
– The declaration was made based on advice from an IHR Emergency Committee of independent experts
– The spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the virus is a major concern
– Efforts are underway to curb the spread of mpox through coordinated international action
– Two vaccines for mpox are recommended by WHO and efforts are being made to accelerate vaccine access for lower-income countries
– Immediate funding of US$ 15 million is needed for surveillance, preparedness, and response activities
– WHO has released US$ 1.45 million from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies and appeals to donors for more funding for the mpox response.