WHO, partners activate Global Health Emergency Corps for first time in response to mpox outbreak

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said the agency and its partners activated the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) in October for the first time to provide support to countries facing mpox outbreaks.

In a statement, the WHO explained that GHEC is a grouping of professionals with the objective of strengthening the response to health emergencies and a collaboration platform for countries and health emergency networks. The GHEC was established by the WHO in 2023 after the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The "WHO and partners are supporting the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries to implement an integrated approach to case detection, contact tracing, targeted vaccination, clinical and home care, infection prevention and control, community engagement and mobilization, and specialized logistical support," said Mike Ryan, the executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program.

"The GHEC enhances the ability of the many effective responders at national and regional levels to collaborate and ensure the success on the ground in interrupting transmission and reducing suffering," Ryan added.

The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in August.

Eighteen African countries have reported mpox cases this year, according to the agency, and the rapid spread of clade 1b mpox to at least two other regions has raised concerns about further spread.