Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
10:31 AM · Sep 5, 2025
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WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 5 September 2025
5 September 2025
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening.
More than a year ago, I declared a public health emergency of international concern over the spread of mpox in Africa, on the advice of an Emergency Committee convened under the International Health Regulations.
Since then, the Emergency Committee has met every three months to evaluate the outbreak.
Yesterday, they met again and advised me that in their view, the situation no longer represents an international health emergency. I have accepted that advice.
This decision is based on sustained declines in cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in other affected countries including Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
We also have a better understanding of the drivers of transmission, the risk factors for severity, and the most affected countries have developed a sustained response capacity.
Of course, lifting the emergency declaration does not mean the threat is over, nor that our response will stop, and we note the Africa CDC’s decision yesterday that mpox remains a continental emergency.
The possibility of continued flare-ups and new outbreaks remains, requiring adequate surveillance and response capacity.
Ongoing efforts are needed to protect the most vulnerable groups, particularly young children and people living with HIV.
WHO, Africa CDC and other partners have maintained a coordinated emergency response, supporting countries to reduce transmission, address stigma, and expand access to testing, care and vaccination.
Nearly six million vaccines have been pledged, more than three million doses have been delivered to 12 countries, and just under one million doses have been administered.
So, we have made much progress, but we still face significant challenges:
Mpox clades continue to circulate;
Surveillance and access to diagnostics remains patchy;
Response capacities are under strain from limited funding;
And community engagement requires sustained investment and local partner coordination.
WHO and our partners are working to mitigate these risks and sustain support to countries.
However, financial resources are still very much needed to support this work.
Standing recommendations for mpox have been extended for another year, until August 2026, to support Member States worldwide.
I have also extended Emergency Use Listing for mpox vaccines and diagnostics.
To say more, I’m honoured to welcome the Chair of the Emergency Committee, Professor Dimie Ogoina from the Niger Delta University in Nigeria.
Professor Ogoina, you have the floor.
[PROF OGOINA ADDRESSED THE MEDIA]
Thank you so much Professor Ogoina, for your leadership of the Emergency Committee over the past year, and for your ongoing commitment to the fight against mpox in Africa. Thank you so much.
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https://www.who.int/news-room/speec...arks-at-the-media-briefing---5-september-2025