Africa launches $600 million plan to combat spreading Mpox outbreak

As the mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads rapidly across the African continent, a coordinated response is underway.

With 12 countries already affected and the disease’s swift spread showing no signs of slowing, African health authorities, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), have unveiled a $600 million plan to tackle the crisis.

The outbreak has been particularly devastating for children, and a unified continental effort is crucial to stem the tide of infections.

A Continental Response to a Growing Crisis

The Africa CDC, in collaboration with the WHO, has developed a comprehensive response strategy aimed at harmonizing efforts across Africa to combat mpox.

Central to this strategy is the coordination of epidemic surveillance and a large-scale vaccination campaign.

This plan seeks to curb the transmission of the virus, with an emphasis on engaging local communities to enhance the effectiveness of the response.

Mpox: A Pressing Challenge for East and Central Africa

Since the start of the year, more than 5,000 cases of mpox have been confirmed, resulting in 643 deaths.

The situation is especially concerning in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi, where the majority of cases are concentrated.

The DRC, the epicenter of the outbreak, has reported 91% of all cases.

This has raised alarm, particularly because children under the age of 15 are the most affected demographic.

The urgent need for a robust regional response is highlighted, particularly in East Africa, as the virus continues to spread to neighboring countries, including Uganda and others in the region.

Vaccination Campaign Offers Hope

One of the key components of the plan is vaccination.

The DRC has already received an initial batch of 100,000 vaccine doses.

While these doses are primarily targeted at the most vulnerable populations, the plan envisions a phased expansion to cover a broader segment of the population.

The aim is to quickly contain the outbreak and prevent further spread across the continent.

Substantial Budget for a Sustained Response

With a $600 million budget allocated for the next six months, Africa CDC and its partners plan to strengthen laboratory capacities, enhance medical personnel training, and develop sequencing and virus surveillance systems.

Half of this budget will support the 13 countries currently impacted by mpox, while the remaining funds will be invested in prevention and preparedness to tackle potential new outbreaks.

As Africa confronts this public health challenge, the continent’s unified response and substantial investment reflect a determined effort to protect its most vulnerable populations and build resilience against future epidemics.