On October 4, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to a resurgence of mpox cases in African countries. This declaration follows the emergence of a new Clade Ib variant and highlights the risk to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children.
The WHO's decision comes after a previous PHEIC was lifted in May 2023, and it underscores the ongoing threat posed by mpox, particularly in regions where the virus had not been previously detected. The current outbreak has raised alarms due to its rapid spread primarily through sexual contact.
The WHO has reviewed the safety of existing mpox vaccines and is urging countries to implement robust safety monitoring protocols. This includes the use of the MVA-BN and LC16m8 vaccines, which have favorable safety profiles in adults but require careful administration techniques to minimize adverse events.
Health authorities are encouraged to use tools for monitoring vaccine safety and to conduct comprehensive studies to identify any rare adverse events, particularly among high-risk groups such as infants and individuals living with HIV.
This situation necessitates immediate global attention as countries prepare to address the rising cases and ensure the safety of vaccines being administered to vulnerable populations.