Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have launched a coordinated continental response plan.
The Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, spanning from September 2024 to February 2025, aims at enhancing vaccination efforts, improve diagnostic access, and bolster health system resilience across Africa. This collaboration targets the urgency of mitigating the outbreak's impact on public health and livelihoods.
The joint initiative follows the declaration of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) by Africa CDC on August 13, 2024, and its subsequent designation as a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by WHO. The response plan prioritizes ten key pillars, including enhanced coordination, risk communication, surveillance, vaccination, and research. Member states have been categorized into four risk-based groups to ensure targeted interventions and optimal.
Director General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya emphasized the importance of this unified strategy.
"This plan aligns all stakeholders on common objectives, eliminating duplication and maximizing impact," he said. The estimated budget for the six-month initiative is $600 million, with 55 percent allocated for response efforts in 28 countries and 45 percent for operational support.
The continental response also builds on lessons learned from prior health crises like COVID-19. Africa CDC is leveraging its experience to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Addis Ababa has been reactivated to provide 24/7 case monitoring. Regional Coordinating Centres in Lusaka, Nairobi, and Libreville are also playing pivotal roles in managing the crisis.
Dr Kaseya highlighted ongoing challenges such as weak surveillance systems and vaccine shortages but reaffirmed Africa CDC's commitment to addressing these gaps. "We know that surveillance in Africa is still weak,but we are deploying epidemiologists to support containment efforts," he stated.
The collaboration between Africa CDC and WHO reflects a broader shift toward regional leadership in global health emergencies. Both organizations are working closely with ministries of health, regional partners, and global stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive response. The plan also focuses on integrating mpox vaccination into routine immunization programs to strengthen long-term health system resilience.
As the mpox outbreak continues to pose significant challenges, this coordinated effort marks a critical step toward safeguarding public health across the continent. The success of this initiative will depend on sustained funding, strong partnerships, and effective implementation at all levels of governance.
The Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, spanning from September 2024 to February 2025, aims at enhancing vaccination efforts, improve diagnostic access, and bolster health system resilience across Africa. This collaboration targets the urgency of mitigating the outbreak's impact on public health and livelihoods.
The joint initiative follows the declaration of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) by Africa CDC on August 13, 2024, and its subsequent designation as a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by WHO. The response plan prioritizes ten key pillars, including enhanced coordination, risk communication, surveillance, vaccination, and research. Member states have been categorized into four risk-based groups to ensure targeted interventions and optimal.
Director General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya emphasized the importance of this unified strategy.
"This plan aligns all stakeholders on common objectives, eliminating duplication and maximizing impact," he said. The estimated budget for the six-month initiative is $600 million, with 55 percent allocated for response efforts in 28 countries and 45 percent for operational support.
The continental response also builds on lessons learned from prior health crises like COVID-19. Africa CDC is leveraging its experience to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Addis Ababa has been reactivated to provide 24/7 case monitoring. Regional Coordinating Centres in Lusaka, Nairobi, and Libreville are also playing pivotal roles in managing the crisis.
Dr Kaseya highlighted ongoing challenges such as weak surveillance systems and vaccine shortages but reaffirmed Africa CDC's commitment to addressing these gaps. "We know that surveillance in Africa is still weak,but we are deploying epidemiologists to support containment efforts," he stated.
The collaboration between Africa CDC and WHO reflects a broader shift toward regional leadership in global health emergencies. Both organizations are working closely with ministries of health, regional partners, and global stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive response. The plan also focuses on integrating mpox vaccination into routine immunization programs to strengthen long-term health system resilience.
As the mpox outbreak continues to pose significant challenges, this coordinated effort marks a critical step toward safeguarding public health across the continent. The success of this initiative will depend on sustained funding, strong partnerships, and effective implementation at all levels of governance.
