Mpox Outbreak In Africa Could Be Controlled In Six Months, Says WHO Chief

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization (WHO), said that the current mpox outbreaks in Africa could be stopped within the next six months. He also added that the first shipment of vaccines will soon arrive in Congo. The central African country is the heavily affected region, as it has reported more than 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths.

"With the governments’ leadership and close cooperation between partners, we believe we can stop these outbreaks in the next six months,” said the WHO Director-General, as quoted by the Associated Press. Tedros also noted at a press briefing that there were 258 cases of the newest version of mpox, with cases identified in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sweden, and Thailand. 

Earlier this month, the health agency declared the mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa a global emergency. WHO is currently working with countries and manufacturers to increase access to the required vaccines. As part of efforts, the United States had donated 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines to Nigeria.