WHO Launches $135 Million Plan to Combat Mpox Outbreaks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated a global strategic preparedness and response plan to curb human-to-human transmission of mpox, following the declaration of a public health emergency on August 14, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

The $135 million initiative aims to support efforts over the next six months, until February 2025, involving WHO, member states, and partners like the Africa CDC.

Key strategies include targeted vaccinations for high-risk individuals, such as close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, to break transmission chains. WHO emphasizes strategic leadership, timely guidance, and access to medical countermeasures in affected regions.

WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding areas can be controlled. The current variant is reportedly more contagious and deadlier than previous strains, with over 100,000 confirmed cases since the global outbreak began in 2022, particularly affecting Africa. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads through close contact and contaminated materials.