WHO unveils effort to fight mpox outbreak

SUMMARY

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a six-month initiative to curb the spread of mpox, focusing on human-to-human transmission. Starting in September, the plan includes deploying additional staff in affected regions, enhancing surveillance, and bolstering prevention and response measures. The WHO aims to secure $135 million in funding to expand diagnostic access and 'vaccination efforts', especially targeting high-risk groups like healthcare workers and close contacts of recent cases. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated the need for a 'coordinated global response'. Meanwhile, Germany announced a donation of 100,000 vaccine doses from its military reserves and additional financial support to combat the outbreak. The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency this month, with a rise in cases in the Congo and other African nations. There have been 3,326 confirmed and 17,979 suspected cases, resulting in 590 deaths across 12 countries.