Breaking News: Mpox Declared International Public Health Concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that an upsurge in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African nations constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. Officials said a coordinated international response is needed to stop the spread of disease in Africa and to other continents.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network Health Update about the DRC mpox outbreak on Aug. 7, 2024. The risk of mpox importation into the U.S. is considered to be “very low.” Direct commercial flights from the DRC and its neighboring countries to the U.S. are limited. The CDC reports that it is helping some communities monitor mpox virus in wastewater samples, similar to the way COVID viral strains are detected in wastewater.

Originally referred to as monkeypox, mpox was first detected in humans in 1970. There are two types (clades): clade 1 infections endemic to central Africa can cause serious illness and are potentially fatal; clade 2 infections endemic to west Africa cause less severe illness. A new strain (clade 1b) appears to be spreading mainly through sexual networks. Two vaccines for mpox are recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization and are also approved by WHO-listed national regulatory authorities and individual countries.

WorkCare’s TravelCare program offers services to help protect employees while preparing for, traveling and working abroad, including immunizations and information on outbreaks and location-specific health risks. Contact us to learn more.