Smallpox Monkey Recall: Risks & Other Diseases to Watch
- On September 5,2025,World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that mpox (formerly known as monkeypox or MPOX) is no longer considered a Public Health Emergency of...
- According to Prof.Tjandra Yoga Aditama, former Director of Infectious Diseases at WHO southeast Asia, at least three key factors contributed to the decision to revoke the PHEIC designation...
- "It is emphasized that, of course, mpox still needs to be watched out for and the control program must still be carried out, even though it is no...
Mpox No Longer a Global Health Emergency, But Vigilance Remains
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Published September 7, 2025, at 05:31:52
Illustration: Metrotvnews.com
By M. Iqbal Al Machmudi
WHO Declares End to Mpox Global Emergency
On September 5,2025,World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that mpox (formerly known as monkeypox or MPOX) is no longer considered a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This decision aligns with the recommendation of the WHO Emergency committee, which holds the authority to make such determinations.
Reasons for Lifting the PHEIC Designation
According to Prof.Tjandra Yoga Aditama, former Director of Infectious Diseases at WHO southeast Asia, at least three key factors contributed to the decision to revoke the PHEIC designation for mpox:
- Decreased Mortality: A decline in mpox-related deaths has been observed in countries such as Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Burundi.
- Improved Understanding: scientific understanding of the disease’s progression and effective treatment strategies has increased.
- Effective Control Programs: Countries have implemented and are maintaining well-controlled disease control programs.
“It is emphasized that, of course, mpox still needs to be watched out for and the control program must still be carried out, even though it is no longer PHEIC,” Prof. Aditama stated on September 7, 2025.
Regional Concerns Remain
While the WHO has lifted the global PHEIC designation, the African CDC declared mpox a Continent Emergency on September 4, 2025, indicating ongoing concern within Africa. This highlights the varying levels of risk and response across diffrent regions.
Prof. Aditama emphasized the continued need for vigilance in Indonesia, stating, “For us in Indonesia, of course we still need to be aware of mpox, just as we are aware of various infectious diseases that have the potential for outbreaks in our country.”