SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern. The highly contagious disease, formerly known as monkeypox, has claimed at least 450 lives during an initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

As reported by the BBC, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concerns about the potential for further spread, stating that "a coordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak and save lives."

Mpox is transmitted through close contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and even close-range talking or breathing. It causes flu-like symptoms, skin lesions, and can be fatal, with four out of 100 cases resulting in death. 

The current outbreak is driven by a new variant, Clade 1b, which has emerged as "the most dangerous yet," according to scientists cited by the BBC.

The outbreak has rapidly spread beyond the DRC to other African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and the Central African Republic. WHO officials and scientists are particularly alarmed by the high fatality rate associated with Clade 1, which has historically killed up to 10% of those infected. 

The BBC reports that since the start of the year, over 13,700 cases have been recorded in the DRC alone, with the disease now threatening wider regions.

The declaration of a public health emergency is expected to accelerate research, funding, and the implementation of international public health measures. 

Dr. Josie Golding from the Wellcome Trust called the declaration a "strong signal," while Emory University's Dr. Boghuma Titanji stated that it "underscores the gravity of the crisis." 

The emergence of this new strain brings many uncertainties, and as Prof. Trudie Lang of the University of Oxford emphasized, it is "important and timely" that the response addresses these unknowns.

The WHO's move follows a similar declaration by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which also labeled the situation a public health emergency. Jean Kaseya, head of the organization, warned that the outbreak could spiral out of control if not addressed immediately. "We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat," Kaseya urged, according to the BBC.

Writer: Fariz Ahmad Luthfi