Egypt escalates preparedness at entry points after WHO's mpox emergency declaration

CAIRO – 15 August 2024: The Ministry of Health has announced the escalation of preparedness at all health quarantine facilities in Egyptian airports, seaports, and land crossings after WHO’s declaration of the mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

In a statement on Thursday, the ministry confirmed the activation of necessary preventive measures at the country's entry points to avert the spread of this infectious disease.

A rising number of African nations have reported mpox outbreaks, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) alone accounting for 96 percent of cases as of June.

According to WHO, Africa has witnessed 14,000 cases and 524 deaths from the virus this year, already surpassing last year's figures.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus mentioned on Wednesday that mpox cases have surfaced across several African countries, including neighboring states of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

“In addition to other outbreaks of other clades of mpox in other parts of Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” he said.

WHO's decision to designate the mpox outbreak as a PHEIC came a day after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) labeled the situation a public health emergency.

Today, the Emergency Committee on #mpox met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice.@WHO is on the ground, working with the affected countries, and others at risk, through our…

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 14, 2024

What is mpox (monkeypox)?

The mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, was identified in 1958 during two outbreaks of a pox-like ailment in colonies of research monkeys. Despite its initial name, the disease's origin remains unknown.

Since May 2022, instances have been reported to WHO in countries that are not endemic for monkeypox virus.

Though primarily a zoonotic disease, transmitted from animals to humans, WHO states that it can also spread among humans through bodily fluid contact, skin lesions, or internal mucosal surfaces.

Mpox manifests with fever, a distinct rash, and often swollen lymph nodes. The rash typically initiates on the face and extends across the body, reaching the palms and soles.

The fatality rate among documented cases of mpox has varied from 0 to 11%, with higher rates observed among young children, according to WHO.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health's statement highlighted that research indicates mpox is unlikely to evolve into a pandemic like coronavirus. However, WHO's PHEIC declaration of a disease underscores the potential for its cross-border transmission.