The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that the ongoing upsurge of Mpox continues to meet the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as outlined in the International Health Regulations (IHR).
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, made the announcement following the fourth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee, held on June 5, 2025. In his statement, Dr. Ghebreyesus highlighted that, despite some progress in certain countries’ responses, the event still constitutes a PHEIC due to a rise in cases, particularly in West Africa, and the possibility of undetected transmission in countries beyond the African continent.
The committee noted several operational challenges in managing the outbreak, including issues with surveillance, diagnostics, and inadequate funding, which have made it difficult to prioritize response efforts. Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for continued international support to address these challenges.
In line with the committee’s advice, WHO has issued revised temporary recommendations for countries currently experiencing Mpox outbreaks. These guidelines aim to assist in efforts to prevent and control the spread of the disease.
The first PHEIC declaration regarding the Mpox upsurge was made by Dr. Ghebreyesus on August 14, 2024, when the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries was identified. Since then, the committee has met on three occasions and consistently advised that the event remains a PHEIC.
A full report on the fourth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee will be released in the third week of June 2025.
