The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a comprehensive global strategic preparedness and response plan to combat the ongoing outbreaks of mpox, a viral disease formerly known as monkeypox. The initiative, announced on Monday, aims to halt human-to-human transmission through coordinated efforts at global, regional, and national levels.
This move comes in response to the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on August 14. The new plan, which is set to run for six months until February 2025, requires $135 million in funding to support WHO, member states, partners like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), communities, and researchers.
The strategy focuses on interrupting transmission chains through targeted vaccination efforts, particularly among individuals at the highest risk. This includes close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the response. The plan also emphasizes the importance of strategic leadership, timely evidence-based guidance, and ensuring access to medical countermeasures for the most vulnerable populations in affected countries.
“The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries can be controlled and stopped,” said WHO Chief Tedros, expressing optimism about the global response to the disease.
To manage the crisis, WHO has established incident management support teams at both its headquarters and regional offices. These teams are leading efforts to boost preparedness, readiness, and response activities, significantly increasing their presence and resources in the most affected regions.
The mpox variant driving the current health emergency is considered more contagious and deadlier than previous strains, including clade 2, which was responsible for a global outbreak that began in 2022. Since the onset of that outbreak, WHO has reported over 100,000 confirmed cases of mpox, with Africa experiencing an unprecedented surge.
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person or contaminated materials such as clothing, sheets, and needles. The WHO’s new plan aims to strengthen global collaboration and resource allocation to mitigate the impact of the disease and prevent further spread.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by mpox, the WHO’s strategic plan represents a crucial step toward controlling the outbreaks and safeguarding public health on a global scale.
