WHO Announces Control Measures for Mpox Virus Outbreak

According to SAEDNEWS, In a pivotal briefing on August 23, World Health Organization (WHO) Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus assured that the mpox virus outbreak can be effectively controlled and halted.

“This new mpox outbreak can be controlled and stopped,” Tedros stated, emphasizing the necessity for a coordinated global response that involves international agencies, national and local partners, civil society, researchers, manufacturers, and member states.

Since the outbreak began in 2022, more than 100,000 confirmed mpox cases have been reported worldwide, with a significant increase in cases particularly noted in Africa. “Transmission is now centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounts for 90% of reported cases in 2024. Additionally, there have been over 16,000 suspected cases and 575 deaths this year alone,” he highlighted.

The Secretary-General also pointed out the worrying emergence of the Clade 1b strain, which was detected last month not only in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda but also in Thailand and Sweden, indicating a broadening geographic scope of concern.

In response to the outbreak, the WHO, alongside its partners, has devised a Global Mpox Virus Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. This comprehensive plan focuses on several key areas: enhancing surveillance and response strategies, advancing research, ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures, minimizing zoonotic transmission, and empowering communities to participate in outbreak prevention and control.

Tedros underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to improve preparedness and coordination at all levels. He mentioned that the WHO Regional Office for Africa, in collaboration with the Africa CDC based in Ethiopia, will spearhead the coordination of response efforts in the regions most affected by this outbreak.

As global health authorities mobilize their resources, it remains crucial for communities to remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to halt the spread of mpox.