WHO Director-General Ends Global Mpox Emergency, Urges Continued Vigilance

 

GENEVA, 5 September 2025 – The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that the mpox outbreak in Africa is no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Despite easing the global alert status, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the lifting of this designation does not mean the outbreak is over, and the organization remains committed to sustained surveillance and response efforts.

Decision Based on Sustained Declines

The emergency declaration, initially issued in August 2024, was advised by the WHO Emergency Committee following an accelerated spread of a more virulent form of mpox particularly clade Ib in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. Since that declaration, global and regional authorities ramped efforts through improved testing, contact tracing, and public health communication, resulting in consistent declines in new mpox cases across the region.At a press briefing, Tedros said he accepted the Emergency Committee’s recommendation to end the PHEIC classification. He underlined, however, that lifting the emergency does not equate to the end of the threat or the WHO’s engagement.

Not a Signal to Scale Back

Though the WHO has officially declared the situation outside the global emergency threshold, experts and health authorities stress that this is no time for complacency. The agency continues to advocate for ongoing investments in regional health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and community-level interventions.Particularly concerning are observations that in vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, and individuals living with HIV the disease can still lead to serious complications or mortality. Stakeholders caution against the reduction in funding and attention, a misstep that could allow resurgence of the virus.

Epidemiology and Regional Impact

Mpox, formerly referred to as monkeypox, is a viral disease related to smallpox and is endemic in certain parts of Africa. It typically spreads through close contact either from animal reservoirs to humans or between individuals—and presents initially with flu-like symptoms ahead of a distinctive rash and skin lesions. While often mild, serious outcomes can occur in specific high-risk populations.The current outbreak is driven by clade I variants, including the new clade Ib strain, which appears to be more transmissible or severe. In contrast, the earlier 2022–2023 global outbreak had involved clade II, which diffused widely beyond Africa, particularly affecting men who have sex with men in Europe and the Americas.

A History of Emergency Declarations

This is the second time in four years that mpox has been classified as a PHEIC. The first occurred in May 2022 during a rapid international spread of clade II, and was lifted in May 2023 once the epidemic subsided. The second was declared in August 2024, focusing on African outbreaks involving the more dangerous clade Ib variant.

What Happens Next?

While the global alarm level has been reduced, WHO remains committed to several critical actions:

• Maintaining strong surveillance systems to detect new cases promptly.

• Continuing public awareness campaigns, particularly in affected communities, to prevent spread.

• Ensuring resources including diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccines remain available to affected countries.

• Supporting health equity, ensuring vulnerable and marginalized groups receive appropriate access to care and protection.

• Preparing for potential flare-ups and establishing rapid response capacities as needed.

In closing remarks, Tedros reiterated the importance of turning this moment into an opportunity: The lifting of the emergency is a positive milestone, but we cannot and will not let our guard down, he said. He urged nations and partners to sustain efforts until mpox is no longer a pressing threat in Africaor   anywhere else.