The World Health Organization has initiated a comprehensive Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan aimed at controlling mpox virus outbreaks in humans.
This week, the WHO revealed that the six-month initiative, which has a budget of $135 million, will be implemented from September to February 2025. The plan will prioritize surveillance, prevention, readiness, and response measures. Additionally, the WHO seeks to enhance vaccine accessibility, especially in African countries that have experienced a higher frequency of mpox outbreaks.WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, "The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighboring countries are manageable and can be eradicated.
Achieving this goal necessitates a thorough and collaborative action plan involving international organizations, national and local stakeholders, civil society, researchers, manufacturers, and our Member States. This Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) outlines that strategy, grounded in the principles of equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and intersectoral coordination." This new approach follows the WHO's declaration of mpox as a global health emergency due to the emergence of a new variant of the virus in Congo and other parts of Africa.
Generally, mpox is characterized by pain but is not considered life-threatening. Nonetheless, there is a limited supply of vaccine doses in the countries most affected by the outbreak.
This month, the African CDC announced that over 17,000 mpox cases and 517 fatalities have been documented across 13 African nations this year.
Common symptoms associated with mpox encompass a rash, fever, general discomfort, headaches, and muscle pain.