The World Health Organization has launched a six-month plan to combat the spread of mpox, with a focus on African countries. The plan will require $135 million in funding and aims to improve access to vaccines in the hardest-hit areas.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is confident that the outbreaks can be controlled and stopped. The agency is increasing staffing in affected countries and has classified the outbreak as a global health emergency.
Germany has also stepped in, donating 100,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to affected countries. Congo, the most severely impacted country, reported over 1,000 new cases last week.
As of Thursday, African countries have reported over 21,300 suspected or confirmed cases and 590 deaths this year. Mpox, similar to smallpox, causes symptoms such as fever and body aches and spreads through close contact.
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