Mpox no longer a global health emergency: WHO

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Monkeypox (mpox) no longer constitutes a global health emergency.

Monkeypox disease

• Monkeypox disease is caused due to the Monkeypox virus.
• The virus belongs to the poxvirus family and was first identified in monkeys in 1958.
• The first human case was reported in 1970 from the Democratic Republic of Congo and many sporadic outbreaks of animal-to-human as well as human-to-human transmission have been reported in Central and West Africa with significant mortality.
• Since the eradication of smallpox, monkeypox is said to be one of the dominant poxviruses in humans, with cases increasing over the years.
• As the transmission happens only due to close contact, the outbreaks are self-limiting.
• The incubation period is found to be between five to 21 days in the majority of affected people and is often mild or self-limiting.
• The outbreaks in Central Africa are considered to be due to their close contact with animals in the region.
• While monkeys are said to be the only hosts, the reservoir is not known and it is believed that rodents and non-human primates could be potential reservoirs.