WHO declares mpox a global health emergency | 14 Aug 2024 | The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the mpox surge in Africa was now a global public health emergency, sounding its highest possible alarm over the worsening situation. The WHO called a meeting of experts to study the outbreak and make a recommendation to the UN health agency’s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice," Tedros told a press conference... A public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) is the highest alarm the WHO can sound. A PHEIC declaration triggers emergency responses in countries worldwide under the legally binding International Health Regulations.