WHO Launches Mpox Response Plan Funding Appeal

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to address the ongoing Mpox outbreak, which has been declared a public health emergency. The plan, effective from September 2024 to February 2025, requires $135 million to enhance surveillance, research, and equitable access to medical countermeasures, emphasizing community empowerment and coordination among various stakeholders. WHO aims to implement comprehensive strategies to minimize both human-to-human and animal-to-human transmission while focusing on vaccinating high-risk individuals. A formal fundraising appeal will be launched soon as the organization collaborates with partners including the Africa CDC. The initiative builds on existing recommendations and seeks to ensure access to timely, evidence-based guidance for vulnerable populations in affected regions. A virtual scientific conference is set for August 29-30 to discuss next steps and coordination efforts.