The World Health Organization ends the global emergency of smallpox

Why it matters: A sharp retreat is a victory.

The WHO announcement is an acknowledgment that the world has successfully managed an international outbreak even while it is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initial response to the outbreak faltered, much as it did when Covid began to spread. But most countries have been able to suppress epidemics with a combination of vaccination and behavioral changes among affected communities.

Mpox was the WHO’s second global emergency in two years, and the seventh since 2007. The organization Raise the appointment For Covid last week, it was a momentous, if largely symbolic, milestone.

Background: Mpox surprised the world.

In July 2022, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said, Overrule a team of advisors Who could not reach a consensus, and declared smallpox a global emergency. By then, the outbreak had swelled to more than 16,000 cases and five deaths in 75 countries.

Global losses now stand at More than 87,000 cases and 140 deaths in 111 countries.

Worldwide, about 84 percent of those infected were men who had sex with men; About half of those infected with HIV Mpox were particularly dangerous for people living with HIV, who frequently become severely ill. on 15 percent of people with advanced HIV who fell seriously ill with smallpox died.

What’s next: The virus hasn’t gone away.

Health experts are concerned that the virus could resurge this summer, especially after Pride events are scheduled around the world over the next few weeks. Last year’s outbreak followed mass gatherings in Spain and Belgium.

Some countries, particularly in the western Pacific region, have I saw a slight uptick In cases since April 25, Mexico reported 12 new deaths. In the United States, Chicago officials are investigating eight new cases, the highest number since November.

“It remains important that countries maintain their capacities and continue their efforts, assess their risks, identify their response needs and act quickly when needed,” Dr. Tedros said at a meeting of the WHO’s Emergency Committee on Wednesday.