On February 27, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to maintain the highest level of health alert for Mpox. This is not merely a response to an infectious disease but a measure indicating that the international health crisis is ongoing. While it may seem that infectious disease response capabilities have been strengthened since COVID-19, WHO’s decision demonstrates that the world remains vulnerable to new infectious disease threats.
The reason WHO has decided to maintain Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is simple. The disease continues to spread, and new variants are emerging. Particularly in Africa, a variant of the Mpox virus with higher transmissibility than existing strains has been identified, potentially reducing the effectiveness of current vaccines. If this variant spreads, there is a risk of a global pandemic, similar to what occurred with COVID-19.
Furthermore, Mpox is transmitted through close contact and can potentially spread more easily through mere skin contact than other infectious diseases. This increases the likelihood of it becoming a global infectious disease rather than being confined to specific regions. In its latest announcement, WHO warned that if Mpox is not controlled, it could develop into an international epidemic.
The most significant concern is the limitations of healthcare systems. As WHO emphasized, if the spread of Mpox accelerates, countries with weak medical infrastructures could suffer severe consequences. In regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, even basic medical support is lacking. If the disease spreads further, healthcare facilities could become overwhelmed, making it difficult to treat not only mild cases but also severe patients.
One of the biggest concerns in this situation is the supply of treatments and vaccines. Currently, there are very few specialized treatments for Mpox, and the only available option is repurposing existing smallpox vaccines. However, vaccine production is limited, and access remains low in some countries. WHO’s announcement suggests that competition for vaccines may intensify, and if the international community fails to prepare countermeasures, vaccine inequality could once again emerge as a major social issue.
Infectious Disease Response and Social Tension
WHO’s decision to maintain its highest health alert level will impact national health policies. Some countries may strengthen quarantine measures and launch large-scale vaccination campaigns to curb the spread. However, given the accumulated fatigue from prolonged COVID-19 restrictions, strict containment measures could provoke public backlash. Finding the right balance between restricting individual freedoms and implementing public health measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases will be more crucial than ever.
WHO’s decision to maintain the highest level of health alert is not just a warning; it is a strong signal that international cooperation is necessary. Countries in need of vaccines and treatments must receive adequate medical support through global collaboration. If countries with weak infectious disease response capabilities are neglected, Mpox may continue to mutate and pose an even greater threat.
Above all, WHO’s decision serves as a reminder that infectious disease response is not a one-time issue but requires a continuous global health strategy. After COVID-19, the world believed it was prepared to prevent new infectious diseases, but the Mpox crisis reveals that the international community remains vulnerable to infectious disease threats.
WHO’s decision to maintain its highest level of health alert is not just a preventive measure. It signifies that the current spread of the disease is severe, and without appropriate action, it could develop into a long-term global health crisis. The emergence of new variants, vaccine shortages, healthcare system limitations, and social tensions all indicate that Mpox is not merely an infectious disease but a complex threat.
The international community must immediately expand vaccine supply, strengthen infectious disease response systems, and establish support measures for countries with weak healthcare infrastructures. WHO’s announcement should not be regarded as just a warning—it is time for active and decisive action.
