WHO Declares mpox Variant Clade Ib a Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization has re-elevated mpox to a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after the Clade Ib variant spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to 14 countries across East Africa, Southeast Asia, and most recently three cases confirmed in Portugal. Case fatality rates for Clade Ib are estimated at 3.6%, roughly ten times higher than the 2022 strain seen in Europe and North America.

The WHO is coordinating a vaccine-sharing program with Bavarian Nordic, while the Africa CDC has launched an emergency procurement round. Travel restrictions have not been recommended, though the UK and US have both tightened health advisories.