Africa’s efforts to combat a surging mpox outbreak are facing significant challenges due to a critical funding shortfall, with less than 10 percent of the estimated $245 million required secured, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) officials.
Speaking at a World Health Organization (WHO) meeting in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, Africa CDC Chief of Staff Ngashi Ngongo revealed that only about $20 million is currently available to address the outbreak. This leaves a staggering $224 million funding gap that needs immediate attention to effectively curb the spread of the virus.
“We’ve come to the first estimate of $245 million,” Ngongo stated. “The current gap where we stand today is about $224 million that we are looking for.”
The mpox outbreak, declared a global health emergency by the WHO in mid-August, has intensified pressures on the continent’s healthcare systems. The new strain, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has begun proliferating to neighboring countries, heightening concerns over regional health security.
So far, the DRC government has committed $10 million, and the African Union has approved an additional $10.4 million towards the response efforts. Despite these contributions, the available funds are insufficient to meet the estimated needs for combating the outbreak.
In an effort to bolster the response, Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya announced moves to secure nearly one million doses of the mpox vaccine. The vaccines expected include 215,000 doses from vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic, 100,000 doses from France, almost 100,000 doses from Germany, and about 500,000 doses from Spain. However, there is currently no timeline on when these vaccines will reach the DRC, the region most affected by the virus.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms. While it is usually mild, it can be fatal, particularly in vulnerable populations. The outbreak’s escalation underscores the urgent need for international support and funding to prevent further spread and to safeguard public health.
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Africa's mpox response is less than 10% funded, says Africa CDC
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