Overview

• The WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency, emphasizing the need for rapid vaccine distribution and disease surveillance.
• New variants, including Clade 1b, are causing more severe illness and higher mortality rates, particularly in Africa and Asia.
• Effective containment strategies include disease surveillance, contact tracing, isolation, and targeted vaccination of high-risk groups.
• African countries have a history of successfully managing outbreaks through coordinated response efforts and community engagement.
• Public health experts stress that while mpox is serious, it is not the new COVID-19, and existing knowledge and tools can mitigate its spread.