The World Health Organisation has launched a six-month global strategic plan against a public health emergency called Mpox.
Labelled a public health emergency, the mpox programme will run from September 2024 to February 2025 and aim for lowering cases through human-to-human transmission with coordinated efforts at international, regional, and national levels.
The mechanism also involves funding of $135 million.
The key areas for this centre are the implementation of strong surveillance, prevention, readiness, and response measures, calls for research, equitable access to medical countermeasures such as diagnostic tests and vaccines, a reduction of animal-to-human transmission, and engaging communities in controlling outbreaks.
Target vaccination for the most at-risk population includes those who have had very close contact with new cases and health workers.
In this regard, WHO says it will lay emphasis on providing key leadership, timely guidance based on evidence, and access to medical resources for the most affected populations.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed confidence that the outbreaks of this disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries can be brought under control and stopped.
He said this requires a comprehensive, coordinated response plan that involves international, national, and local partners, civil society, academicians, manufacturers, and Member States.
"The new plan is anchored on the principles of equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and coordination across sectors," said the WHO Chief.
Mpox is an acute viral zoonotic illness caused by the Monkeypox virus. The ongoing widespread outbreak, powered mainly by the more virulent Clade Ib, affects 14 African countries and has spiralled out to Sweden and Thailand and also to parts of South Asia.
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