WHO Aims to Halt Mpox Outbreaks in Africa Within Six Months

The WHO plans to stop the mpox outbreaks in Africa within six months, with the first vaccine shipment arriving in Congo soon. Africa has received minimal vaccines, with Congo facing the highest cases and deaths. WHO urges robust global response and awareness campaigns to contain the virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is optimistic that ongoing mpox outbreaks in Africa could be halted within six months. WHO's first vaccine shipment is expected to arrive in Congo shortly, where the virus has caused over 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths.

'With the governments' leadership and cooperation among partners, we believe we can stop these outbreaks in the next six months,' said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press briefing. Although infections have surged recently, deaths remain relatively low.

WHO has declared the ongoing mpox outbreaks in Africa a global emergency to prompt a stronger global response. The agency plans to send about 230,000 vaccines to Congo and other affected regions imminently and is launching education campaigns to prevent the spread of the virus. However, scientists warn that more understanding of the disease's transmission in Africa is crucial for effective vaccine use.

(With inputs from agencies.)