On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) held an held an emergency meeting to tackle the serious outbreak of monkeypox, now known as Mpox, with a special focus on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The main aim of this meeting is to decide whether this outbreak should be labeled a global health emergency. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghreyesus announced that a group of independent experts will soon come together to evaluate if the outbreak is severe enough to be considered a public health emergency of international concern.

The outbreak in the DRC has significantly worsened since September. Not only has the virus intensified within the DRC, but it has recorded 27,000 Mpox cases and more than 11,00 deaths, most of whom are children. This year, Mpox has also been found in ten other African nations, with over 96 percent of the cases concentrated in the DRC, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The situation is critical, with Mpox cases rising by 160 percent this year and deaths increasing by 19 percent. Alarmingly, 70 percent of the cases and 85 percent of the deaths involve children under 15. This sharp increase in both cases and deaths has prompted the WHO to urgently evaluate the global response to the outbreak. In 2022, the WHO declared Mpox a global emergency after it spread to more than 70 countries.

Mpox is related to smallpox but is usually less severe. It causes symptoms such as fever, chills, a stuffy nose, cough, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle pain. These symptoms can be especially severe for children, who are currently the most affected.

The emergency meeting is crucial for figuring out the best ways to manage and control the Mpox outbreak worldwide. The expert committee will review the current situation, suggest strategies to handle the virus’s spread, and provide support to the most affected regions. While we wait for their recommendations, the focus is on stopping the outbreak, helping those who are most impacted, and making sure there are enough resources and plans to protect public health.

The response from the international community will be vital in managing this health crisis and preventing it from getting worse. The decision to hold this emergency meeting underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for a global effort to address the outbreak. Coordinated actions and support will be essential in controlling Mpox and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children, who are currently suffering the most from this crisis.