WHO Launches Global Plan To Tackle Mpox Outbreak…
Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to curb the spread of mpox.
This new plan aims to tackle human-to-human transmission through a united effort at global, regional, and national levels.
It comes after the WHO Director-General declared a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.
Member States received a briefing on the plan on August 23, and their feedback will be incorporated. The plan covers the period from September 2024 to February 2025 and outlines a need for $135 million to fund the response.
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This funding will support efforts by WHO, Member States, partners like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and various communities and researchers.
A funding appeal for the required amount will be launched soon. The plan, which builds on existing WHO recommendations, focuses on improving surveillance, prevention, readiness, and response strategies.
It aims to advance research and ensure fair access to diagnostic tests and vaccines, reduce animal-to-human transmission and engage communities in preventing and controlling outbreaks.
Vaccination efforts will target high-risk individuals, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, to break the transmission chain.
On a global level, the plan emphasizes strong leadership, timely guidance, and providing medical countermeasures to those most at risk in affected countries.
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WHO is collaborating with international, regional, national, and local partners to boost coordination in preparedness and response.
This includes working with groups like the ACT-Accelerator Principals, the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response, the R&D Blueprint for Epidemics, and the interim Medical Counter Measures Network (i-MCM Net).
To align research with outbreak control, the WHO R&D Blueprint, Africa CDC, CEPI, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will host a virtual scientific conference on August 29-30, 2024.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated, “We can control and stop the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries.
Achieving this requires a comprehensive and coordinated action plan involving international agencies, national and local partners, civil society, researchers, and manufacturers.
This SPRP is our roadmap, guided by equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and sector-wide coordination.”
WHO headquarters and regional offices have set up incident management teams to lead response activities and increase staff in affected areas.
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In Africa, the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and Africa CDC will jointly coordinate mpox response efforts, working together on a unified plan and budget. National and local health authorities will tailor their strategies based on epidemiological trends.