WHO Unveils Strategic Plan to Combat Human-to-Human Transmission of Mpox
In a bid to combat the rapidly spreading Mpox virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed a comprehensive Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, seeking 135 million U.S. dollars in funding to implement the plan from September 2024 to February 2025.
According to the WHO, the plan aims to coordinate global, regional, and national efforts 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 plan focuses on implementing comprehensive surveillance, prevention, and readiness to combat the virus.
The WHO announcement comes on the heels of the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus on August 14. The organization has also announced that a funding appeal will be launched shortly to support the delivery of the plan.
Strategic vaccination efforts will focus on individuals at the highest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, to interrupt transmission chains. The WHO emphasizes strategic leadership, timely evidence-based guidance, and access to medical countermeasures for the most at-risk groups in affected countries.
“To combat Mpox, we need to work together globally, regionally, nationally, and locally to enhance coordination across key areas of preparedness, readiness, and response,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.
The WHO is working with a broad range of partners and networks, including the ACT-Accelerator Principals group, the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, the R&D Blueprint for Epidemics, and the interim Medical Countermeasures Network (i-MCM Net) to deliver the plan.
The WHO’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan represents a critical step in the global effort to contain the Mpox outbreak and protect the public’s health.
