The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that mpox no longer constitutes a global health emergency on Thursday, almost exactly a year after the disease formerly known as monkeypox started spreading globally.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the decision was prompted by sharply falling case numbers worldwide, but emphasised that the disease remains a threat, particularly in areas of Africa where it has long been endemic.

This comes a week after the UN agency also declared that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), its highest level of alarm.