"Mpox activates global alarms and the WHO declares a public health emergency of international concern."

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has reignited global alarms, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a "public health emergency of international concern." This decision comes in an alarming context, where a new variant of the virus has begun to spread rapidly in Africa, recently reaching Europe and Pakistan. To date, more than 17,500 cases have been reported in 12 African countries, with a concerning toll of 517 deaths, the Democratic Republic of the Congo being the most affected with 548 fatalities. WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed concern about the possibility of further spread of the virus and has urged the international community to coordinate efforts to address the crisis. The emergency declaration aims to accelerate research and the implementation of new public health measures, but it has also raised numerous questions about the nature and risk of this disease. Mpox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, and it is endemic to certain regions of Africa. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus has been identified in various mammals, including rodents and primates. Symptoms in humans include fever, sore throat, rashes, and skin lesions that can appear in various parts of the body, including sensitive areas. Although it is generally not considered fatal, clade 1B of the virus, responsible for the current outbreak, has a significant fatality rate, which can reach between 3% and 4%. Transmission of mpox can occur both from animals to humans and between people. Close contact, especially through sexual relationships, has been identified as a key mechanism in the spread during the current outbreak. However, WHO clarifies that there is no differential risk between heterosexual and homosexual individuals, and that all sexually active individuals are vulnerable if they maintain contact with infected persons. Therefore, citizens of countries with the presence of the virus are advised to moderate their social and sexual encounters. Vulnerable groups, such as immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and children, face a higher risk of severe complications in the event of infection. Despite these risks, WHO has indicated that there is no need to implement a mass vaccination campaign like the one used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, it is suggested that vaccines be primarily allocated to individuals who have been in close contact with infected persons. The drug tecovirimat, which has been approved for use in severe cases of mpox, is available in controlled settings. Additionally, several vaccines historically used to combat smallpox are also being employed against mpox, although availability is limited. Public health experts have pointed out that the lack of sufficient reserves of these vaccines is a significant obstacle to effective disease control. Vaccine reserves have drastically decreased since the eradication of smallpox over 40 years ago, and it is currently estimated that at least 10 million doses would be needed to address the mpox crisis. WHO has approximately 2.6 million doses, a figure that is insufficient given the current outbreak. The situation is further complicated as European countries have begun recommending vaccination for those planning to travel to Africa, which could further compromise the availability of vaccines to combat the outbreak. WHO has admitted that there is no clarity on how long immunity lasts after an mpox infection, and has warned of the possibility of reinfections. In light of this uncertainty, citizens are urged to take precautions to avoid new infections. The situation is critical, and the international community faces the challenge of containing a virus that, while not always lethal, can have devastating consequences, especially in vulnerable populations. The emergency declaration by WHO not only highlights the seriousness of the current outbreak but also underscores the need for a coordinated global response and investment in public health resources. Over time, it has become evident that effective control of mpox will require a multifaceted approach, encompassing everything from epidemiological surveillance to public education on prevention and treatment. Undoubtedly, this is a crisis that deserves our full attention and collective action.