WHO to convene experts on mpox virus as cases surge in East Africa

Mpox can cause fevers, headaches, and muscle aches, as well as painful boils on the skin. © wikimedia commons

The head of the World Health Organization has said he will convene an expert group to determine if the increasing spread of the mpox virus in Africa warrants being declared a global emergency.

At a press briefing in Geneva during the week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that given the increasing spread of mpox cases beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has decided to ask independent experts to advise WHO “as soon as possible.”