Nigeria, along with several other nations recently affected by the Monkey Pox (MPOX) outbreak, is set to gain from a $135 million funding initiative established by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a statement released on Monday, the organization emphasized the importance of this funding as it has initiated a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan aimed at curbing human-to-human transmission of mpox through coordinated efforts at global, regional, and national levels.

This initiative follows the WHO Director-General's declaration of a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.

While the current plan awaits feedback from WHO member states, who were informed about it on August 23, it is designed to span a six-month period from September 2024 to February 2025.

During this timeframe, a funding requirement of $135 million is anticipated to support the response efforts of WHO, member states, and partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), of which Nigeria is a member, as well as local communities and researchers.

The strategy, which is based on the temporary and ongoing recommendations from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, emphasizes the implementation of thorough surveillance, prevention, readiness, and response measures.

It aims to promote research and ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures, such as diagnostic tests and vaccines, while also reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission.

Additionally, it seeks to empower communities to engage actively in the prevention and control of outbreaks.

Vaccination initiatives will prioritize individuals at the greatest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare professionals, to effectively break transmission chains.

On a global scale, the focus will be on providing strategic leadership, timely evidence-based guidance, and ensuring access to medical countermeasures for the most vulnerable populations in affected regions.

The WHO has stated that it is collaborating with a diverse array of international, regional, national, and local partners and networks to improve coordination in essential areas of preparedness, readiness, and response.

This collaboration includes working with the ACT-Accelerator Principals group, the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response, the R&D Blueprint for Epidemics, and the interim Medical Counter Measures Network (i-MCM Net).

The mpox outbreaks occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighboring nations can be managed and ultimately eradicated.

Achieving this goal necessitates a thorough and collaborative strategy involving international organizations, national and local stakeholders, civil society, researchers, manufacturers, and our Member States.

Dr. Ghebreyesus stated that this Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) outlines such a strategy, founded on the principles of equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and intersectoral coordination.

 

Nigeria Intensifies Surveillance As Mpox Cases Hit 39

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a total of 39 confirmed cases of mpox, with no fatalities, across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

During a press conference regarding the recent classification of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, NCDC Director General Jide Idris disclosed this information.

He emphasized that the NCDC is enhancing surveillance efforts nationwide to promptly identify and address new cases. Idris also noted that all port health services at the five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders are currently on high alert.

Additionally, several states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have been placed on heightened alert.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the ongoing monkeypox outbreak in Africa to be a global public health emergency. This decision was made in response to the concerning rise in cases observed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the subsequent spread of the virus to neighboring countries.

In light of this development, the WHO convened a meeting of experts to thoroughly examine the outbreak and provide their recommendations to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General.

“Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice,” Tedros told a press conference.

“This is something that should concern us all. WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries, and leveraging our on-the-ground presence, to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.”

The announcement follows the declaration of a public health emergency by the African Union’s health authority in response to the escalating outbreak.

Mpox has rapidly spread across the Democratic Republic of Congo, the location where the virus, previously known as monkeypox, was first identified in humans in 1970, and has since extended to other nations.

Tedros noted that the over 14,000 cases and 524 fatalities reported this year in DR Congo have already surpassed the total figures from the previous year.