As monkeypox cases continue to rise in several countries of the Pan American region, member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held a special meeting of the Board of Directors on Monday, August 8 to consider a resolution to address the outbreak, including support for equitable access to vaccines for at-risk groups in the region.
On July 23, the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak, which began in mid-May and has affected 89 countries in all six WHO regions, a public health emergency of international concern. – PHEIC).
About 10,000 monkeypox infections have been reported in 24 countries of the Pan-American region since the outbreak began. This represents 36% of global cases.
“The PHEIC statement was accompanied by detailed recommendations both for countries and territories that have not yet identified cases and for countries and territories that already have imported cases or transmission in their communities,” said PAHO Director Carissa Etienne.
“We believe that when the recommended measures are properly implemented, we can stop the transmission of the monkeypox virus.”
These recommendations, which PAHO is implementing together with Member States, include communication and engagement with affected communities, early detection and surveillance, treatment and isolation of patients, and contact tracing.
However, the director added that “post- or pre-exposure vaccination” may need to complement the other measures.
During the hearing, Dr Etienne noted that there is currently only one third generation vaccine for monkeypox, which is produced by only one manufacturer.
Although stocks of this vaccine are extremely limited, PAHO has begun negotiations with its manufacturer.
In light of this, the resolution passed calls on the Director of PAHO to facilitate a coordinated response and take steps to support Member States in accessing this vaccine through the PAHO Revolving Fund. The countries of the Pan-American region are also requested to continue to recognize PAHO and its Revolving Fund as the strategic regional technical mechanism best suited to provide equitable access to this and other vaccines.
The recommendations of PAHO’s technical advisory group on vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as those of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), require countries to prioritize vaccines for specific groups, such as close contacts of a confirmed case of monkeypox, in order to maximize the effect given the limited supply of vaccines.
Monkeypox disease
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and a rash that forms blisters and scabs. The rash is usually concentrated on the face, palms, and soles. The mouth, genitals and eyes may also be affected.
The symptoms can be mild or severe, and usually last for several weeks, during which one can be contagious to others. Most people recover without treatment within a few weeks.
Monkeypox disease has been reported regularly in nine countries of Central and West Africa since it was first recognized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1958. However, since mid-May 2022, an increasing number of monkeypox cases have been reported, first in multiple countries in Europe and later in other regions, including the Americas.
As of August 4, 2022, there were 26,326 probable and laboratory-confirmed cases reported to WHO from 89 countries in all six WHO regions.
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