Epidemiological Update Mpox in the Americas Region - 17 August 2024

On 14 August 2024, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the resurgence of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Temporary recommendations are being developed with input from the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee and will be available in the coming days.

The emergence and rapid spread of a new virus strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, clade Ib, which appears to spread mainly through sexual networks, and its detection in neighboring countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are one of the main reasons for the declaration of PHEIC. 

This Epidemiological Update provides a summary of the situation in the Americas based on cases reported to the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) and published on the official websites of the Ministries and Health Agencies of the Americas.