Danger Level
• Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic
Level 1: Exercise caution. (New)
Details
1. On August 14 (local time), WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared that the Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several other African countries constitutes a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).”
• Press Release on PHEIC Declaration from WHO Emergency Committee
2. The Director-General stated that the rapid spread of Clade 1, which is known to cause more severe symptoms than Clade 2 (which caused the global outbreak starting in 2022), and the detection of a new strain, Clade 1b, are of particular concern and are key reasons for the PHEIC declaration.
3. According to WHO, Mpox cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for over a decade, with a significant increase in cases last year and more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths reported this year already. Cases of Clade 1 have also been reported in neighboring countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Republic of the Congo, and Central African Republic.
4. In light of these situations, an infection risk information Level 1 (Exercise Caution) is being issued for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Republic of the Congo, and Central African Republic. Citizens are advised to consider responses based on the above information. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to provide timely and appropriate information and warnings to travelers and Japanese residents abroad through its overseas safety website and consular emails.
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