Mpox Emergency Officially Ends

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that the Fifth Meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on the Multi-Country Outbreak of Mpox decided to end the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

As of May 11, 2023, data sources indicate about 87,000 Mpox cases have been confirmed globally, with 30,395 cases and 42 related fatalities in the U.S. since early May 2022.

The WHO committee stated having considered the significant decline in the global spread of mpox and the gains achieved in the control of the outbreak in many countries; the Committee advised that the event requires a transition from a PHEIC to a robust, proactive and sustainable mpox response and control program.

The Committee emphasized the need for long-term attention and support, including financial aid, particularly for countries where Mpox occurs regularly, and advised that Standing Recommendations would now be a more appropriate tool to manage the immediate, short, and long-term public health risks posed by Mpox.

In the U.S., an initial Mpox outbreak was declared in August 2022. On October 27, 2022, the Mpox public health emergency in San Francisco ended, followed by New York City in November 2022.

And on January 31, 2023, the U.S. HHS did not renew the Mpox public health emergency declaration.

However, recent Mpox outbreaks have been reported in Chicago.

Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration previously approved vaccines can prevent certain sexually transmitted diseases such as Mpox.

And the oral TPOXX® (Tecovirimat) treatment remains available in the U.S.