The mpox virus, which was once a major public health concern in 2022 and 2023, still poses a threat to global health. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 97,000 suspected cases across the continent and nearly 600 deaths so far this year. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August 2024 marked the highest level of alert.
Despite a $1.1 billion pledge from countries, foundations, and international organizations to support mpox control, critics argue that the global response has fallen short. The epicenter of the outbreak remains in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where rebels are in control of key cities and medical care is scarce. Overlapping with this outbreak is a significant drop in global health aid from the US and European countries.
The lackluster response has led to low vaccination rates, with only 886,000 people vaccinated in a dozen African countries. The WHO had initially set a target of 10 million doses by the end of 2025, but many of these vaccines are now too close to expiration to be shipped.
Mpox experts warn that the virus will continue to spread and evolve unless the global response improves. Dr. Boghuma Titanji from Emory University says that for every two steps forward in controlling the outbreak, there have been three steps backward. The WHO’s alert system and Africa CDC’s emergency declaration may need to be reevaluated if the containment efforts do not yield better results.
The virus has expanded its geographic reach substantially, but recent case numbers seem to be dropping. However, experts emphasize that the lack of response portends poorly for future disease threats. As Dr. Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, notes, the emergency declaration and pledged resources have materialized, but more work is needed. The world must continue to monitor mpox’s spread and adapt its response to contain this virus before it becomes entrenched in human populations.
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/08/14/g-s1-82460/mpox-virus-emergency