Mpox: WHO reveals plan to contain outbreak

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has revealed a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, SPRP, to combat human-to-human transmission of Mpox.

This was contained in a statement issued by the world health body on Monday.

According to WHO, the plan which will run from September 2024 to February 2025, requires 135 million U.S. dollars in funding.

It also includes coordinating global, regional, and national efforts, it aims to enhance surveillance and response strategies, ensure equitable access to diagnostics and vaccines, reduce animal-to-human transmission, and empower communities in outbreak control.

The WHO said the unveiling follows the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO, Director-General on August 14.

According to the world health body, a funding appeal for what WHO needs to deliver on the plan will be launched shortly.

The WHO said that the plan, which builds on the temporary recommendations and standing recommendations issued by the Ghebreyesus, focuses on implementing comprehensive surveillance, prevention, and readiness.

The WHO further said that strategic vaccination efforts will focus on individuals at the highest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, to interrupt transmission chains.

“At the global-level, the emphasis is on strategic leadership, timely evidence-based guidance, and access to medical countermeasures for the most at-risk groups in affected countries.

“WHO is working with a broad range of international, regional, national and local partners and networks to enhance coordination across key areas of preparedness, readiness and response.

“This includes engagement with the ACT-Accelerator Principals group; the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response; the R and D Blueprint for Epidemics; and the interim Medical Countermeasures Network (i-MCM Net),” it stated.