Germany announced a donation of 100,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African nations to combat the disease outbreak. This donation will nearly deplete Germany’s military reserve of 118,000 doses. Along with the vaccines, Berlin will provide financial support to the World Health Organization and partners in Africa through the Gavi Vaccine Alliance.

Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit stated that Germany’s goal is to assist in containing the spread of mpox in Africa through international solidarity. Immediate measures include collaboration with the African Union to promote local vaccine production.

New Strain of Mpox Raises Concerns

The World Health Organization has declared the recent mpox outbreak in the DRC a global public health emergency due to its severity and spread. The disease, caused by a new Clade 1b strain, has claimed over 570 lives this year across several African countries and Europe.

France and the US have also committed to donating doses. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, poses a significant threat due to its virulence and transmission between animals and humans as well as among humans themselves through close contact.

js/wd (AFP, Reuters)