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Explainer: How WHO is strategically mitigating the rapid global spread of mpox
This strategy is in response to the August 14 designation of a public health emergency of worldwide concern by the Director-General of the WHO.
The clinic in Munigi, close to the major eastern Congolese city of Goma, is now receiving up to 10 new patients a day. Photo Credit: Glody Murhabazi
The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) aimed at halting the spread of mpox through coordinated efforts at global, regional, and national levels.
This strategy is in response to the August 14 designation of a public health emergency of worldwide concern by the Director-General of the WHO.
Key Focus Areas and Funding
The plan, which runs from September 2024 to February 2025, has a $135 million financial need. The response initiatives of the WHO, Member States, Africa CDC, communities, researchers, and other partners will be aided by this funding.
Comprehensive surveillance, preventive, preparation, and response plans are given top priority by the SPRP, as are fair access to medical countermeasures including vaccinations and diagnostic tests.
Strategic Vaccination and Global Coordination
Vaccination efforts will target individuals at the highest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, to disrupt transmission chains.
WHO is also working with various partners to ensure coordinated efforts across preparedness, readiness, and response, emphasizing strategic leadership and evidence-based guidance.
Regional Efforts and Community Empowerment
In Africa, where the need is most urgent, WHO’s Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and Africa CDC are leading response efforts with a unified approach.
At the national level, health authorities will adapt strategies based on local epidemiological trends, ensuring that responses are tailored to the specific needs of their communities.
