Mpox Outbreaks Remain Public Health Emergency

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee met today regarding the upsurge of clade I mpox cases.

On November 22, 2024, the WHO Director-General agreed with the advice of the Committee and determined that the upsurge of mpox continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

The upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread to neighboring countries (Burundi, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda) was declared a public health emergency of international concern on August 14, 2024.

The decision was based on the rising number and continuing geographic spread of cases, operational challenges in the field, and the need to mount and sustain a cohesive response across countries and partners.

A report of this meeting will be issued next week, wrote the WHO.

To alert international travelers of this health risk, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Health Advisory in September 2024. The CDC says mpox vaccination is now recommended for people, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, who anticipate the following sexual activities during travel to countries with ongoing person-to-person transmission of clade I mpox.

In the United States, Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®) vaccine is commercially available at many pharmacies and is also recommended by the CDC to prevent clade II mpox cases.