Public health emergency declared for highly infectious mpox outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) following a recent outbreak of mpox in central Africa.

Transmitted through close contact between people – such as sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person – mpox produces lesions and fevers in those suffering from it, and can be deadly if left untreated.

There have so far been 13,700 cases and 450 deaths from the disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2024. The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, has subsequently spread to other African countries such as Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Rwanda.

The PHEIC designation follows a similar declaration by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) overnight (14 August). Scientists from the agency – part of the African Union (AU) – said that they were alarmed by mpox’s spread since the start of the year.

Insurers and assistance firms should be aware of the threat

There are two known strains of the disease: a milder one, which caused the 2022 global PHEIC and spread to nearly 100 countries including parts of Europe and Asia that year; and a more deadly one, which is endemic in central Africa.

That strain has largely remained localised until now, but is behind the current outbreak.

The public health emergency declaration is intended to assist in coordinating a response, and improve the flow of aid and medical supplies to affected areas.

In response to the escalating situation, governments around the world are likely to issue advisories for travellers visiting countries that are affected, which in turn may affect their ability to claim on their travel policies.

Assistance companies should also be aware of the threat and remain on high alert, in the event of travellers needing medical support.