On August 27, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled its comprehensive plan to combat the mpox outbreaks across Africa and beyond. This strategic initiative intends to mitigate human-to-human transmission of the virus, which had been declared a public health emergency on August 14 by WHO Secretary-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The plan, outlined to span six months, from September 2024 to February 2025, outlines the need for $135 million to support its efforts on the ground.
The focus of this initiative is multi-faceted: WHO aims to bolster vaccination efforts for those deemed most at risk—primarily close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers. This is part of their approach to interrupt transmission chains effectively. The organization is assembling key partners, including member states, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and local communities to facilitate the execution of this plan.
“The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries can be controlled, and they can be stopped,” declared Tedros, emphasizing the potential for effective management with increased resources and strategic efforts.
Since the global mpox outbreak began in 2022, the virus has surged, resulting in over 100,000 confirmed cases. The mpox virus, formerly recognized as monkeypox, mainly spreads through close contact, contaminated materials, and sexual intercourse. With the current variant being reported as more contagious and deadly than previous strains, public health responses are considered urgent. WHO and its affiliates are ramping up surveillance efforts and community engagement to minimize transmission risks.
The launch of this plan coincides with additional support from several European nations to combat the outbreak. For example, Germany announced it would donate 100,000 doses of mpox vaccine from military supplies to assist affected countries. This announcement aligned with earlier commitments from France to provide similar assistance, showcasing solidarity among nations facing this public health challenge.
Reports indicate the Democratic Republic of the Congo has encountered significant new cases, tallying over 1,000 new infections reported within just one week. The total number of suspected or confirmed cases across the African continent has surpassed 21,300 for the year, underpinning the dire state of the outbreak.
Healthcare officials have flagged the importance of equitable vaccine distribution, ensuring those hardest hit by the outbreak have access to necessary immunizations. WHO’s plan highlights the necessity of leveraging strategic vaccination and surveillance systems to control widespread transmission effectively.
Meanwhile, as the situation evolves, health officials worldwide remain vigilant, with countries like Thailand confirming Asia’s first case of the dangerous new variant. This has prompted regional health authorities to ramp up preventive measures amid increasing global concern over the variant’s rapid spreading patterns.
The WHO emphasizes strategic leadership and timely guidance throughout this initiative. These efforts will pave the way for not only immediate containment of mpox but also build knowledge and frameworks for future health emergencies.
With the launch of this $135 million plan, WHO seeks to empower local communities and advance research on the disease to facilitate effective public health response systems. Initiatives like these reflect the global commitment to tackling infectious diseases collectively and proactively.
Overall, the WHO’s ambitious strategy marks a renewed dedication to global health security, stressing the importance of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization to combat current and future health threats.
