Story Summary:
- Launch of Mpox Response Plan: The Africa CDC and WHO have introduced a comprehensive plan to address the mpox outbreak across Africa, following recent public health emergency declarations.
- Funding and Duration: The six-month plan, running from September 2024 to February 2025, has a budget of nearly US$600 million, with 55% allocated to affected and at-risk Member States and 45% for operational and technical support.
- Unified Approach: The plan emphasizes a coordinated strategy involving all stakeholders to maximize impact, reduce duplication, and ensure alignment on common objectives.
- Key Focus Areas: The plan addresses enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, community engagement, and the provision of critical countermeasures tailored to the specific needs of each Member State.
- Categorization and Actions: Countries are classified based on their mpox status and risk level, with targeted actions outlined for each category, including sustained transmission, sporadic cases, and readiness needs.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have unveiled a significant new plan to address the ongoing mpox outbreak across Africa. This strategic initiative aims to bolster efforts to control the virus, protect lives, and strengthen health systems continent-wide.
The Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan comes in response to recent public health declarations. On August 13, 2024, the Africa CDC declared a public health emergency of continental security (PHECS), followed by the WHO’s declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, expressed pride in the joint effort. “We are proud to jointly launch this plan, which brings together all stakeholders in a unified approach to addressing the mpox outbreaks across Africa. This strategy ensures alignment on common goals, minimizes duplication, and maximizes impact,” he said.
The six-month plan, set to run from September 2024 to February 2025, has a projected budget of nearly US$600 million. Of this, 55% will be dedicated to mpox response efforts in 14 affected Member States and readiness initiatives in 15 additional Member States. The remaining 45% will support operational and technical assistance through various partners.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, underscored the significance of the coordinated response. “This plan represents a critical milestone in our collective efforts to support countries by reinforcing expertise and mobilizing resources. By working together, we can achieve more and ensure that communities are protected from the threat of mpox,” she stated.
The plan addresses the recent surge in mpox cases across Africa, driven by both zoonotic outbreaks and increased human-to-human transmission. It outlines a multisectoral approach tailored to the specific needs of each Member State, focusing on enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, community engagement, and the provision of essential countermeasures.
Countries will be categorized based on their mpox status and risk level, with specific actions outlined for each category. This includes nations with sustained human-to-human transmission, those with sporadic cases or endemic zoonotic reservoirs, countries needing enhanced readiness due to proximity to ongoing outbreaks, and all other nations.
The response will be implemented through a coordinated effort led by Africa CDC and WHO, supported by key partners such as UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and civil society. This approach aligns with the Lusaka Agenda, emphasizing a “one team, one plan, one budget, one M&E” strategy, and will be overseen by a continental Incident Management Team.
