World Health Organization Declares Mpox Outbreak in Africa a Global Health Emergency

WHO director-general accepts recommendation from committee.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a press conference on the World Health Organization's 75th anniversary in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 6, 2023. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Aug. 14 declared the outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in Africa a public health emergency of international concern because of the increase in cases and deaths in recent months.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, announced the declaration in Geneva, Switzerland, accepting a recommendation from the WHO’s emergency committee.