August 20, 2024
Mpox: A Looming Threat to Global Health Security, A Renewed Call for Solidarity
Mpox: A Public Health Emergency of International Concern
As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new public health threat is emerging: Mpox. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa CDC have declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern, urging the global community to take immediate action. Yet, the specter of vaccine hoarding by high-income countries looms large, threatening to repeat the injustices witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A History of Inequity
During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hoarding by wealthier nations left many low- and middle-income countries struggling to secure enough doses to protect their populations. This medical apartheid not only exacerbated global health disparities but also prolonged the pandemic, as unvaccinated populations provided fertile ground for the virus to mutate and spread. With the emergence of Mpox, there is growing concern that history may repeat itself. The global community is being urged to learn from the failures of the past and ensure that access to vaccines and treatments is equitable across all regions, particularly in Africa, where the burden of Mpox is currently the highest.
Current Efforts
According to the Africa CDC, Mpox outbreaks have been reported in 12 African countries, including nations that previously had no recorded cases, such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. In 2024 alone, these countries have documented 2,863 confirmed cases and 517 fatalities, with the majority occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Additionally, suspected Mpox cases across the continent have surged to over 17,000, reflecting a significant rise compared to the 7,146 cases reported in 2022 and 14,957 in 2023. This surge underscores the urgent need to strengthen surveillance, improve laboratory testing, and enhance contact tracing efforts.
Efforts to increase vaccine production are underway. The WHO has triggered the Emergency Use Listing process for Mpox vaccines to expedite access, particularly in lower-income countries that have not yet issued regulatory approvals. This step aims to ensure equitable and swift vaccine distribution, avoiding delays that could otherwise hinder access in the most affected regions.
A partnership between the Africa CDC, the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), and Bavarian Nordic has been established to provide over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine—the only FDA and EMA-approved Mpox vaccine. Africa CDC will oversee the equitable distribution of these vaccines, prioritizing local needs across affected Member States.
However, WHO officials, including Dr. Hans Kluge, have expressed concerns about vaccine hoarding, noting that the European Union’s generosity in donating vaccines might be “put to the test if more vaccines are needed in the EU.”
The Call for Global Solidarity
In the immediate term, ensuring that the Africa CDC has adequate funding and an ample supply of Mpox vaccines and necessary diagnostics and medicines is critical for controlling the outbreak. The international community must fully support Africa CDC’s response plan, prioritizing vaccine distribution and strengthening health systems across the continent. As African health officials have emphasized, the focus should be solidarity rather than isolationist measures like travel bans, which could further strain resources and exacerbate inequities. More affordable vaccines and additional manufacturers must be engaged to scale the response effectively, ensuring that Africa is not left behind in the global fight against Mpox.
Alongside vaccine distribution, WHO officials emphasize robust contact tracing, strong surveillance, public health measures, and adequate clinical care must be provided. Dr. Kluge urged global coordination, warning that without it, the world risks entering “another cycle of panic and then neglect” (UN News).
The emergence of Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by infectious diseases. We need “authentic global solidarity, equity, and urgent support for African countries to mitigate mpox outbreaks,” write Ifedayo MO Adetifa and Madhukar Pai.
The risks of vaccine hoarding by wealthier nations remain a significant concern, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global health community must act decisively to prevent another cycle of medical apartheid.
Read More:
Europe can defeat mpox, must support Africa in getting vaccines: WHO | UN News
Mpox outbreaks in Africa – we must avert another failure of global solidarity.
