Health

WHO affirms that mpox remains a global health emergency, highlighting the threat of new variants and the urgency of mass vaccination.

10 Jun 2025 2 min

As the world starts to relax its vigilance after the pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a fresh warning that the mpox outbreak—formerly known as monkeypox—is far from over. On June 9, 2025, WHO officially stated that mpox is still classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the highest alert in the global health system. This status was extended following a review by the IHR Emergency Committee, which recommended a stronger response amid rising cases and the emergence of new variants in several countries.

The decision to maintain global emergency status was not made lightly. Since August 2024, a new clade Ib variant has triggered a surge of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central African nations. Although PHEIC was previously lifted in May 2023 when global cases declined, increasing transmission in Africa and evidence of its spread beyond the continent were the primary reasons for reinstating the emergency.

Mpox cases, dominated by clades I and II, have now spread to more than 20 countries, including the United States, Australia, India, and Brazil. Europe is reporting over 200 new cases each month, mostly among men who have sex with men (MSM), with several cases imported from Africa. In Indonesia, as of mid-2024, 88 cases have been confirmed, mainly in major cities.

Several key factors drove WHO to extend the global emergency status. First, the surge in cases and hidden transmission indicate weak surveillance. Many countries still struggle to trace contacts and enforce effective isolation. Second, the clade Ib variant has proven to be more contagious and has a higher mortality rate. Operational challenges—from a shortage of trained health workers to limited vaccine access—have made the situation even more complex.

As part of the containment strategy, WHO recommends targeted vaccination using JYNNEOS from the United States and LC16 from Japan, which received WHO Emergency Use Listing in November 2024. Vaccine distribution focuses on high-risk groups, including communities with close-contact networks and frontline healthcare workers. Countries like DRC have received donations of more than 3 million LC16 doses to accelerate immunization coverage.

The global response to the mpox outbreak is becoming increasingly coordinated. WHO and Africa CDC are building mpox elimination strategies in Africa, Europe, and the Americas, focusing on enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and equitable vaccine distribution. However, significant challenges remain, including social stigma, limited diagnostic tools, and unequal vaccine access. Surveillance remains weak in many regions, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, raising concerns that actual cases could be underreported.

Experts emphasize the importance of not underestimating mpox, even though the emergency status was once lifted last year. “Mpox is not just a regional issue; it is a global challenge,” said Paul Ananth Tambyah, president of ISID. WHO continues to call for investment in research, public education, and equitable vaccine access to prevent future waves. Public education must go hand-in-hand with community engagement to overcome stigma and denial.

Currently, WHO predicts the peak of the mpox outbreak in Africa will occur between 2025 and 2026. The future of containment efforts depends on how quickly vaccination coverage expands and the effectiveness of public health responses. If global coordination remains strong and vaccine access widens, the chances of controlling the outbreak will grow. However, without collective action, the risk of cross-border transmission will persist.