WHO Extended Mpox Global Emergency Status, Why?

Mpox illustration (Freepic)

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially extended its public health emergency status or PHEIC, for the Mpox outbreak. The extension follows a recommendation from the International Health Regulation Emergency Committee, in the fourth meeting decision on June 5, 2025.

At the meeting which lasted for five hours, an assessment was carried out of the Mpox spike throughout 2024 and early 2025. Based on the assessment, it was seen that the Mpox continued transmission occurred in various regions in the world.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, approved committee recommendations regarding the Mpox situation that still meets global emergency criteria. He also released a series of revised interim recommendations to strengthen the country's response.

"I would like to thank all members and committee advisers for their contribution. The full results of this meeting will be distributed to countries," Tedros said, quoted from a statement on the WHO's official website, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

The recommendation is aimed at countries experiencing community transmission or having Mpox cases related to travel. These countries were asked to implement additional measures to overcome the outbreak.

These recommendations are also within the framework of the WHO 2024-2027 Strategy for Mpox prevention and control.

Meanwhile, the Mpox outbreak, especially the Mpox Code I, is still common, especially in Central and East Africa. Code I also has two subcodes, namely Code Ia and Code Ib.

In Central Africa, people have contracted Mpox Klade Ib through contact with infected wild animals, both dead and alive. Transmission occurs in households, or patient care, most of which cases have been reported in children under 15 years of age.