WHO has initiated a global strategic preparedness and response plan to control the outbreak of mpox.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to prevent human-to-human transmission of mpox through coordinated global, regional, and national efforts.

This comes after the WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared a public health emergency of international concern on 14th August.

The plan covers the six-month period from September 2024 to February 2025 and anticipates a funding requirement of US$135 million for the response by WHO, Member States, partners including Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), communities, and researchers, among others.

A funding appeal to support the plan's execution will be launched soon.
“The Mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries can be controlled and stopped,” said WHO Director-General.

The plan, based on the temporary and standing recommendations by the WHO Director-General, focuses on implementing comprehensive surveillance, prevention, readiness, and response strategies; advancing research and ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures like diagnostic tests and vaccines; minimizing animal-to-human transmission; and empowering communities to actively participate in outbreak prevention and control.

Strategic vaccination efforts will prioritize individuals at the highest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, aiming to break the chains of transmission.