Mpox cases surged globally, notably in Africa, where 24 countries reported outbreaks, a significant increase from 13 the previous year. This year marks the one-year anniversary of the WHO declaring mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Millions in pledges have been made for control efforts, but critics assert that the global response has not met the crisis's needs. Historically linked to forested areas, the virus spread due to new strains, especially among vulnerable populations. The ongoing crisis emphasizes the necessity of preparedness for future outbreaks of serious diseases.
Over the past year, the virus has spread rapidly across borders in Africa. Twenty-four African countries are in the midst of mpox outbreaks up from 13 a year ago, according to the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Critics say the global response has fallen dangerously short, despite the fact that $1.1 billion have been pledged by countries, foundations and international organizations to support mpox control.
Today August 14 marks the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This rare distinction indicates the highest level of alert.
Today, mpox had a very different profile than in its early days. A new strain of the virus officially called Clade 1b had just emerged and was spreading fast.
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