In what it described as its decisive move to tackle the growing mpox crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the launch of a Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP). This extensive strategy, set to unfold from September 2024 to February 2025, aims to halt human-to-human transmission of mpox through a coordinated global, regional, and national effort. The plan follows the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus earlier in August.
The SPRP envisions a multi-faceted approach to containment and eventual eradication. WHO has projected a funding requirement of $135 million to support the implementation of the plan, which includes comprehensive surveillance, prevention, and response strategies. Key components of the plan focus on advancing research, ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures such as diagnostic tests and vaccines, and minimizing animal-to-human transmission.
The plan emphasizes partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including Member States, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Notably, WHO revealed it will also be working closely with communities at the local level to empower them in outbreak prevention and control. WHO said this community-driven aspect of the response is crucial, as it aligns with its commitment to equity, global solidarity, and human rights.
One of the standout features of the plan is its targeted vaccination strategy. WHO aims to prioritize individuals at the highest risk—such as close contacts of confirmed cases and healthcare workers—thereby interrupting transmission chains and protecting those most vulnerable. This targeted approach is a shift from broader vaccination campaigns and reflects WHO’s understanding of the need for strategic deployment of limited resources.
Dr. Tedros highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action, particularly in Africa, where the burden of the disease is most severe. “The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries can be controlled, and can be stopped,” he stated. To this end, WHO’s Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), in collaboration with Africa CDC, will spearhead the response efforts within the continent. These regional efforts are part of a broader, unified strategy that involves significant scaling up of WHO staff and resources in affected countries.
Adding to the global response, WHO and its partners are set to host a virtual scientific conference on August 29-30, 2024. This event will bring together researchers, public health experts, and policymakers to align mpox research with outbreak control goals, ensuring that scientific advancements directly inform on-the-ground efforts.