WHO ramps up emergency use mpox diagnostics

On Aug 14, 2024, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the emergence of the new clade Ib of monkeypox virus and its rapid spread in DR Congo and neighbouring countries, along with other mpox outbreaks in Africa, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). 3 months on, more than 40 000 mpox cases have been reported in 19 African countries and clade Ib monkeypox virus has spread to at least two other regions. On Nov 22, WHO confirmed that mpox continues to constitute a PHEIC.