Mpox virus: WHO launches 6-month plan to stop outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday launched a six-month plan to help stop outbreaks of mpox transmission, including ramping up staffing in affected countries and boosting surveillance, prevention and response strategies.

WHO said it expects the plan from September through February next year will require US$135 million in funding and aims to improve fair access to vaccines, notably in African countries hardest hit by the outbreak, as reported by international media.

"The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries can be controlled, and can be stopped," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement.

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The agency is "significantly scaling up staff" in affected countries, it said. In mid-August, WHO classified the current mpox outbreak as a global health emergency.

Last Tuesday, Congo – the hardest-hit country – reported more than 1,000 new mpox cases over the previous week.