Mpox Global Health Emergency and International Health Regulations

Syllabus: Prelims Unit I - General Science

PHEIC Declaration

• Date: August 14, 2024
• Declaring authority: WHO
• Reason: Rising mpox cases
• Primary affected region: Democratic Republic of Congo
• Classification: Public Health Emergency of International Concern

About Mpox

• Discovery: 1970 (in humans)
• Original discovery: 1958 (in monkeys)
• Primary regions: Central and West Africa
• Previous emergency: July 2022 - May 2023
• Characteristics:
• Viral disease
• 7-14 days incubation period
• Similar to smallpox

Current Situation (2024)

• DRC statistics:
• Cases: 15,600+
• Deaths: 537
• New strain: Clade 1b
• Affected countries:
• Burundi
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Uganda
• WHO response funding:
• Immediate allocation: $1.45 million
• Estimated requirement: $15 million

Disease Characteristics

• Transmission modes:
• Respiratory droplets
• Bodily fluids
• Animal contact (primarily rodents)
• Symptoms:
• Fever
• Rash
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Prevention: Smallpox vaccine provides protection

International Health Regulations (IHR)

• Initial adoption: 1969
• Major update: 2005
• Coverage: 196 countries
• Key features:
• 24-hour reporting requirement
• "One Health" approach
• Emergency response guidelines
• Annual compliance monitoring
• Objectives:
• Global health security
• Disease outbreak management
• Public health capability enhancement