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WHO released $1.5 million in contingency funds and plans to release more soon. The response plan requires an initial $15 million, and the agency plans to appeal to donors for funding read more
 "WHO declares mpox a global health emergency, says response plans require $15 million")
This 1997 image depicts the dorsal surfaces of the hands of a monkeypox case patient. CDC via AP
The World Health Organization declared smallpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years on Wednesday. This decision follows an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Wednesday that WHO had released $1.5 million in contingency funds and plans to release more in the coming days. WHO’s response plan would require an initial $15 million, and the agency plans to appeal to donors for funding.
What is mpox?
Monkeypox, also known as Mpox, was first identified by scientists in 1958 during outbreaks of a “pox-like” disease in monkeys. Until recently, most human cases were seen in people in central and West Africa who had close contact with infected animals.
In 2022, the virus was confirmed to spread via sexual contact for the first time and triggered outbreaks in more than 70 countries across the world that had not previously reported Mpox.
Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches. People with more serious cases can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals.
What did WHO say?
“The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” he said.
Earlier this week, Africa’s top public health body declared a smallpox emergency for the continent after warning that the viral infection was spreading at an alarming rate. There have been more than 17,000 suspected cases and over 500 deaths this year, mainly among children in Congo.
What does the emergency declaration do?
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, explained that the agency’s declaration of a public health emergency aims to “mobilise our institutions, collective will, and resources to act swiftly and decisively.”
The emergency declaration by WHO is intended to encourage donor agencies and countries to take action. However, the global response to previous declarations has been varied.
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English (US) ·