Global Unity and Coordinated Action Essential to Combat Mpox – WHO

• WHO announces $135 million action plan for coordinated global response to control mpox outbreak, emphasizing equity and solidarity
• Clade 1b variant spreads rapidly, with DRC as epicenter accounting for 90% of cases, WHO declares global health emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the critical need for coordinated global efforts to address and control the ongoing mpox outbreak. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced a $135 million action plan to tackle the crisis over the next six months.

Speaking from WHO headquarters in Geneva, Dr. Tedros highlighted the importance of collaboration among international agencies, national and local partners, civil society, researchers, manufacturers, and WHO member states. He underscored the need for equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and cross-sectoral coordination in the response.

“Responding to this complex outbreak requires a comprehensive and coordinated international response,” Dr. Tedros stated. He noted the alarming spread of the clade 1b variant, recently reported in countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other regions. This led to the declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency on August 14.

The DRC has emerged as the epicenter of the 2024 outbreak, accounting for 90 percent of reported cases. The rapid spread of the new variant has also been seen in countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Thailand, and Sweden.

The WHO and its partners have developed a comprehensive strategy, the Global Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP), to combat the outbreak. The plan focuses on surveillance, response measures, research advancement, minimizing zoonotic transmission, and empowering communities. Dr. Tedros indicated that a dedicated WHO funding appeal would be issued soon to support this effort.

Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease, can be transmitted from animals to humans and between humans. The disease was first identified in 1970 in the DRC and shares similarities with smallpox, eradicated in 1980. Symptoms of mpox include fever, severe headache, back pain, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes or sores. While most cases resolve on their own within a few weeks, the disease can lead to serious health complications or death in some cases, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

Dr. Tedros stressed that the new pox outbreak can be controlled and stopped with the right global response. The WHO is committed to leading this effort with the support of its global partners.