The World Health Organization (WHO) says it will keep its alert for mpox at the highest level amid a surge in cases. A WHO committee made up of about a dozen independent experts made the decision at a meeting in Geneva on Friday,

This prolongs a declaration that the U.N. agency first made in August. Africa is the hardest hit continent.

WHO on Friday declared that Mpox remains a public health emergency, a determination based on the rising number of cases, operational challenges and the need to mount a joint response to end the outbreak.

Following a meeting today of the World Health Organization (WHO) mpox emergency committee, the head of the WHO accepted the group’s recommendation that the outbreaks still warrant a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations.

The WHO had convened a meeting of its Emergency Committee and, agreeing with its advice, the WHO Director-General has determined that the upsurge of mpox continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

Decision comes as Mpox cases surge, particularly with the spread of the clade Ib variant beyond its origin in the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring African nations, Europe, and Asia

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that mpox remains a public health emergency of international concern due to a surge in cases and the virus's continued spread across regions. The decision follows a meeting of the WHO’s Emergency Committee, which advised maintaining the high-alert status initially declared in August.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to keep its alert for the mpox at the highest level, as the number of cases and countries continued to rise. “The WHO director-general, agreeing with the advice of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee,