The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today the conclusion of the global public health emergency for Mpox, a viral disease that rapidly spread across multiple countries in 2022, even in regions where it is not typically found.

“We are witnessing steady progress in controlling the outbreak by applying lessons learned from HIV and working closely with the most affected communities,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press conference on Thursday. However, he cautioned that the battle against mpox is far from over and emphasized that the disease “continues to present significant public health challenges.”

This declaration comes just days after Tedros officially declared an end to the COVID-19 global health emergency.

Previously known as monkeypox, Mpox was classified as a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022, when over 16,000 cases were reported to the WHO. Presently, more than 87,000 cases have been confirmed in 11 countries, with 140 fatalities resulting from the infection, which causes a distressing rash and other symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.

Mpox primarily spreads through close physical contact and is endemic to several African countries. In countries where it is non-endemic, the outbreak predominantly affected men who have sex with men, causing great concern within the LGBTQ+ community when it initially emerged last summer.

The outbreak arrived as nations were recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, a smallpox vaccine produced by Danish manufacturer Bavarian Nordic was readily available. In July, the European Medicines Agency recommended extending the vaccine’s indication to include monkeypox. However, similar to the challenges faced with COVID-19 vaccines, access to the Mpox vaccine was not always straightforward, prompting countries to explore strategies to optimize limited supplies.

The decision to end the global public health emergency was made following a recommendation from a panel of experts who concluded that the outbreak no longer posed an international public health threat.

Cases of mpox in the WHO’s European region have substantially decreased since the peak in 2022, with only eight reported cases in the three weeks leading up to May 9. Throughout the region, six fatalities have been recorded due to Mpox.

As global efforts continue to combat the disease, health officials emphasize the importance of ongoing vigilance and public health measures to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks.