WHO ends Monkeypox emergency status: what next?

Letter to the editor: Nearly one year after resurfacing, the Monkeypox (MPOX) virus has been officially declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as no longer posing a public health emergency of International concern (1). 1 On 23 July 2022, the WHO classified the virus as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), with more than 87,000 reported infections and approximately 129 deaths (2) while approximately 88,600 laboratory-confirmed cases and 152 deaths were reported from 113 member states to the WHO between 1 January 2022 to 24 July 2023.(3). MPOX belongs to the Poxviridae family and is a contagious virus that spreads through bodily fluids, sores, and contaminated objects. Its severity varies, with most infected individuals experiencing mild symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, respiratory issues, and a rash that begins on the face and spreads. Typically, the rash resolves within 2 to 4 weeks. However, in some cases, MPOX can lead to more serious complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, and encephalitis, particularly among immunocompromised individuals or those with underlying health conditions. The virus rapidly spread to 111 locations, including 104 locations with no historical records of such a virus, demonstrating its high transmissibility. (2) The outbreak overwhelmed healthcare systems in multiple countries, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatments, putting additional strain on already burdened resources due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of businesses and a decline in tourism further devastated economies, resulting in widespread job losses and financial hardships. Moreover, the fear-driven impact of the disease exacerbated social divisions and discrimination, adding stigma to the challenges faced by affected populations. (4,5).