Monkeypox, WHO launches global strategic plan

ROME – The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a Strategic Global Preparedness and Response Plan to stop the human-to-human transmission of smallpox through coordinated efforts at global, regional and national levels. The current plan relies on contributions from Member States and covers the six-month period from September 2024 to February 2025, providing $135 million in funding for the response from WHO, Member States, partners including the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa. CDC), communities and researchers, among others. An appeal will be launched soon to raise money for the resources WHO will need to implement the plan. The plan, which is based on interim recommendations and permanent recommendations issued by the WHO Director-General, focuses on the implementation of comprehensive surveillance, prevention, preparedness and response strategies; on promoting research and fair access to medical measures such as diagnostic tests and vaccines; has been reducing animal-to-human transmission; and empowered communities to actively participate in the prevention and control of epidemics. Strategic vaccination efforts will focus on individuals at highest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and health care workers, to break chains of transmission. Globally, the emphasis is on strategic leadership, timely evidence-based management and access to medical measures for the most at-risk groups in the affected countries. WHO is working with a wide range of international, regional, national and local partners and networks to improve coordination across key areas of preparedness, preparedness and response. “The smallpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries can be controlled,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “To do this requires a comprehensive and coordinated action plan between international organizations and national and local partners, civil society, researchers and representatives and our Member States.” -photo by Fotogramma Group- . mgg/com 26-Aug-24 17:28