WHO: Mpox still a public health emergency

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. —Reuters

MANILA, Philippines — The World Health Organization (WHO) has retained its highest alert level for the monkeypox (mpox) virus due to the rising number of cases in affected countries, including the Philippines.

In a statement on Monday, WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he concurred with the advice of the International Health Regulations committee that the current mpox outbreak “continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), and considering the advice of the committee, he is hereby issuing a revised set of temporary recommendations.”

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This was the third time since 2022 that the WHO extended the PHEIC on mpox. In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said a total of 911 mpox cases were recorded from January 2024 to May 2025.

But it noted a decline in the country’s mpox cases both year-on-year and on a per-month basis. The DOH also clarified there was no mpox outbreak in the country, and the recent spike in mpox-related cases was due to the active monitoring of local governments. —Dexter Cabalza