WHO Declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency as Clade 1b Strain Spreads, Vaccine Distribution Challenges Persist

Aug 23, 2024, 07:03 PM

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a global health emergency, as a new and more dangerous strain of the virus spreads rapidly. This declaration has raised global concerns, with cases now confirmed in countries outside Africa, including Thailand and Sweden. The outbreak is particularly severe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where South Kivu has been identified as an epicenter. The WHO has relaxed regulations to expedite vaccine access in Africa, allowing partners like Gavi and UNICEF to purchase vaccines before official approval. However, there are significant challenges in vaccine distribution due to high costs and regulatory hurdles, leaving many African nations without adequate supplies. The United Nations Children's Fund has appealed for $16.5 million to enhance mpox response efforts in East and Southern Africa. Meanwhile, the European Union has secured and plans to distribute 215,000 mpox vaccine doses through the Africa CDC. The new strain, known as Clade 1b, has also been detected in Asia, prompting countries like Thailand and the Philippines to brace for potential outbreaks. Experts like Pamela Rendi-Wagner and Maria Van Kerkhove emphasize that while mpox is not as contagious as COVID-19, it requires vigilant monitoring and response to prevent further spread. WHO Chief Tedros has called for 135 million dollars to support global response efforts.