Swedish Consulate – The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to a significant rise in cases across several African countries, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring nations.
On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the WHO Emergency Committee had convened to assess the situation. The committee concluded that the current state of Mpox warrants the PHEIC status, a recommendation that Tedros has accepted.
Before making this recommendation, the Emergency Committee thoroughly reviewed data provided by WHO experts and the affected countries. The data indicates that the disease, previously known as monkeypox, has the potential to spread further within Africa and possibly beyond. As a result, the committee advised that Mpox be declared a PHEIC, according to the official WHO website.
In his statement, Tedros emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting the rapid spread of the disease in eastern Congo and the concerning reports from surrounding nations. He stressed the need for coordinated international efforts to prevent the outbreak from escalating.
International Coordination Needed to Curb Mpox Spread
Tedros further highlighted the emergence of a new Mpox clade, its swift transmission in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in neighboring countries as deeply troubling. He called for a coordinated international response to contain the outbreak and save lives. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of increased international coordination as the virus continues to spread.
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Avoiding a Repeat of History
Professor Dimie Ogoina, Chair of the Emergency Committee, also voiced concern over the rise in Mpox cases in several African regions. He warned that the situation poses an emergency not only for Africa but for the entire world. “Mpox, originating from Africa and later causing a global outbreak in 2022, requires decisive action now to prevent history from repeating itself,” said Ogoina.
In 2022, Indonesia reported its first Mpox case on August 19. The case involved an Indonesian citizen who had recently traveled abroad.
Timeline of Indonesia’s First Mpox Case
The timeline of the first reported Mpox case in Indonesia is as follows:
- August 8, 2022: A 27-year-old male arrived in Jakarta after international travel.
- August 14, 2022: The patient began experiencing symptoms, starting with a fever and swollen lymph nodes.
- August 16, 2022: The patient developed lesions and rashes on various parts of his body, including his face, groin, and legs.
- August 18, 2022: The PCR test results confirmed a positive Mpox diagnosis.
According to Dr. Syahril, the patient showed symptoms such as rashes on the face, palms, feet, and around the genital area. Recognizing the symptoms, the patient sought medical attention at a hospital in Jakarta, where further testing, including a PCR test, was conducted.
This case marked the first confirmed instance of monkeypox in Indonesia, highlighting the importance of awareness and prompt action in managing the spread of the disease.
