WHO Declares Africa's Mpox Outbreaks a Global Health Emergency
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared a global health emergency as cases of mpox spread in multiple African countries.
The Details: Cases of mpox, formerly named monkeypox, have now been detected in 13 African countries, with 96% concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This year, thousands of adults and children have been infected, and hundreds have died. Many African countries lack an ample supply of vaccines and treatments for mpox.
Key Quote: “Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022,” said the chair of a WHO emergency committee. “It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.”
For Context: The virus was given the name “monkeypox” in the 1970s after first being discovered in monkeys. In November 2022, the WHO changed its official name for the virus, citing “racist and stigmatizing language” which arose during that year’s global outbreak.
How the Media Covered It: As the story broke, coverage was quite similar from outlets on the left, right, and center, sticking closely to the facts. Associated Press (Lean Left bias) quoted several experts calling the virus a global problem and criticizing the lack of response from non-African countries thus far. Daily Mail (Right bias) described the new strain as “ultra-deadly” and updated their story after publication to note that, “Coincidentally… Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau [today] told his country to prepare for a new 'hypothetical virus' that could rival Covid.”
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
World Health Organization declares ultra-deadly monkeypox strain a public health emergency of international concern![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/84968531-13743701-Telltale_signs_of_mpox_are_skin_rashes_and_lesions_Muscle_aches_-a-1_1723656677597.jpg?itok=qwIkSsu7)
The World Health Organization today declared an ultra-deadly strain of monkeypox a global public health emergency.
Officials said an outbreak of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighboring countries posed 'international concern' - the WHO's highest level of alert.
The hope is to speed up research and roll out vaccines to contain the virus, which is more infectious and several times deadlier than the one that caused the global outbreak in 2022.
No cases of the new strain have been reported in the US or the UK yet, but...
From the Center
WHO declares mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/AP24157836100225-e1723661762414.jpg?itok=982xzgdY)
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Wednesday the mpox outbreak in Africa to be a public health emergency of international concern, citing its continued spread and detection in several countries of the region.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement to media after convening a meeting with the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations. He had called for the meeting last week to discuss whether the situation on the ground warranted a declaration.
From the Left
WHO declares mpox outbreaks in Africa a global health emergency as a new form of the virus spreads![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/download%20%285%29_3.jpeg?itok=9iF6mTj8)
LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa a global emergency on Wednesday, with cases confirmed among children and adults in more than a dozen countries and a new form of the virus spreading. Few vaccine doses are available on the continent.
Earlier this week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the mpox outbreaks were a public health emergency, with more than 500 deaths, and called for international help to stop the virus’ spread.
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