Mpox Outbreak: WHO and UNICEF Response.

The latest on the Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak, as of early September 2024, involves significant responses from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF:

• WHO’s Declaration and Response: The WHO has declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) due to the rapid spread of a new clade of the virus, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries. This declaration came after an increase in cases, with over 18,000 suspected cases and hundreds of deaths reported, primarily in the DRC. The WHO has emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to stop the outbreaks, focusing on vaccination, surveillance, and research into the new clade, known as clade 1b. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced an action plan requiring approximately $135 million over six months to control the outbreak, with efforts also aimed at enhancing community protection and clinical care.
• UNICEF’s Involvement: UNICEF has taken steps by issuing an emergency tender for the procurement of mpox vaccines. This initiative, in collaboration with Gavi, the Africa CDC, and WHO, aims to secure up to 12 million doses by 2025. This move underscores the urgency of the situation, focusing on protecting vulnerable populations, especially children and pregnant women, in the hardest-hit countries.
• Vaccine and Research Efforts: There’s an ongoing effort to accelerate access to mpox vaccines, with WHO emphasizing the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. Research continues into understanding the virus’s transmission, particularly the new clade’s behavior, and the effectiveness of vaccines like Jynneos in different populations. A clinical trial in the DRC is set to explore the vaccine’s preventive capabilities in close contacts of infected individuals.
• Community and Global Health Response: On the ground, organizations like Malteser International are training local health workers in affected areas like Ituri, near Uganda’s border, to curb the spread. The response also includes boosting emergency plans, enhancing surveillance, and providing healthcare and vital medical supplies.
• Public Sentiment and Information: From posts on X, there’s a clear call for global solidarity in tackling the outbreak, with updates on vaccine procurement and distribution efforts being shared widely. The sentiment reflects concern over the spread but also hope in the coordinated efforts by global health bodies.

This comprehensive response from WHO and UNICEF, alongside other global health partners, aims at containing the mpox outbreak through vaccination, research, and enhanced health system responses, particularly in Africa where the outbreak has been most severe.