The World Health Organization (WHO) has ended a near year-long global health emergency for mpox (monkeypox), a viral disease that led to confirmed cases in more than a hundred countries.
Key points
- The organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022 and backed its stand in November and February 2023.
- Almost 90% fewer mpox cases were reported in the past three months, compared with cases in the same duration before that.
- More than 87,000 mpox cases have been confirmed globally from the beginning of 2022 through May 8 this year, according to the WHO’s latest report.
About Mpox
- Mpox is a less severe cousin of the now-eradicated smallpox virus.
- It is endemic to parts of West and Central Africa and has typically been contracted from a rodent or small mammal.
- In the recent outbreak, gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men have made up the majority of cases, although anyone with close, personal contact with someone with mpox is at risk.
- The virus can spread through contact with body fluids, sores or items such as clothing and bedding contaminated with the virus.
- It can also spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, typically in a close setting.
