Mpox Outbreak in Africa: Singapore and Africa CDC Collaborate

The article from the Africa CDC website titled “Singapore’s Health Ministry and Africa CDC Announce Joint Efforts to Tackle the Mpox Outbreak” emphasises the collaborative efforts being made to manage the mpox outbreak in Africa. The focus on mpox is highlighted through various initiatives and actions aimed at controlling the spread of this disease.

Declaration of Public Health Emergencies

On August 13, 2024, Africa CDC declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), followed by the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024, in response to its global spread.

Impact and Spread

As of November 2024, the outbreak has affected 19 African Union member states, with over 12,000 confirmed cases reported since the start of the year. Cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi primarily drive the outbreak.

Collaborative Efforts

The Ministry of Health, Singapore, is providing a support package to Africa CDC, which includes essential mpox diagnostic kits and testing supplies. This support enables the performance of up to 50,000 tests, strengthening Africa CDC’s capacity for enhanced mpox case management.

Diagnostic and Testing Challenges

One major challenge in controlling the mpox outbreak in Africa has been the shortage of vital testing supplies. In response, Africa CDC and WHO have initiated a joint plan to expand mpox testing, including scaling up PCR testing capacity and deploying near point-of-care testing. Therefore, they are also training laboratory personnel and supplying adequate testing materials.

Comprehensive Continental Response Plan

For the first time, Africa CDC has developed a comprehensive continental response plan for disease outbreaks, focusing on all pillars of outbreak response, including enhanced diagnostics and genome sequencing. This plan coordinates efforts across essential areas such as risk communication and infection prevention.

Vaccine Allocation and Deployment

The Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) has allocated vaccine doses to countries most affected by the outbreak. Furthermore, following a phased vaccination strategy aimed at high-risk populations.

International Cooperation

The joint-efforts-to-combat-mpox-outbreak-response emphasises a commitment to international cooperation in public health. This cooperation is vital for effectively managing the mpox outbreak and ensuring global health security.

In conclusion, the mpox outbreak’s severe impact in Africa prompted collaborative efforts by Africa CDC, WHO, and Singapore. These organisations are enhancing diagnostic and testing capabilities and deploying a comprehensive response plan to manage the mpox outbreak effectively. The commitment to fight mpox demonstrates the critical nature of global health cooperation.