WHO Launches Six-Month Plan to Combat Mpox Outbreaks
The United Nations health agency unveiled a six-month plan on Monday to help contain mpox outbreaks. The plan calls for increasing staffing in afflicted nations as well as enhancing surveillance, prevention, and response tactics.
The World Health Organization stated that it anticipates the September through February of the following year strategy, which aims to promote equitable access to vaccines, particularly in the African countries hardest impacted by the outbreak, will require $135 million in funding.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in a statement that “the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries can be controlled, and can be stopped.”
According to the organization, it is “significantly scaling up staff” in the impacted nations. The current mpox outbreak was declared a global health emergency by the WHO in mid-August.
Germany Contributes to Global Efforts with Mpox Vaccine Donation
Additionally on Monday, German news agency dpa reported that Steffen Hebestreit, a spokesman for the German government, announced that Germany is giving 100,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to afflicted nations from supplies stored by its armed forces.
Current Status and Impact of Mpox in Africa
The African Centers for Disease Control provided the most recent update on the outbreak on Thursday, stating that as of this Thursday, 12 African countries have reported over 21,300 suspected or confirmed cases, along with 590 deaths.
Although it usually produces lesser symptoms including fever, chills, and body pains, mpox is related to smallpox. Close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity, is the main way in which it spreads. More severe cases may result in lesions on the hands, face, chest and genitalia.
