WHO chief says mpox outbreak in Africa is no longer a global health emergency Health Sep 5, 2025 7:17 PM EDT

GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization no longer considers the mpox outbreak in Africa to be an international health emergency, the U.N. agency’s director said Friday.

The new form of mpox emerged in early 2024 in Congo and neighboring African countries, spread through close contact including sex. WHO declared it a global health emergency in August of last year.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Friday that an emergency panel created after the outbreak has advised that the situation is no longer an international emergency, and “I have accepted that advice.”

READ MORE: Congo announces new Ebola outbreak after case confirmed in southern provinc

See Full Page