Mpox in East Africa: Learning from COVID-19 and Ebola to Strengthen Public Health Responses

Pierre Gashema*, Tumusime Musafiri, Felix Ndahimana, Hyppolyte Iradukunda, Eric Saramba, Stuart T. Nyakatswau, Noel Gahamanyi, Patrick Gad Iradukunda, Ayman Ahmed, Tafadzwa Dzinamarira, Claude Mambo Muvunyi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/Letter to the editorAcademic

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) in Africa. African public health systems have moved to mobilize a response against a backdrop of inherent significant challenges. With this commentary, we discuss how lessons from past public health emergencies, particularly COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks, have prepared the region for improved disease surveillance, rapid response strategies, and effective public health communication and how these lessons can be applied to the mpox response, emphasizing the importance of strong healthcare infrastructure, effective data sharing, community engagement, targeted interventions, and robust contact tracing. Additionally, addressing misinformation and building public trust are crucial for controlling the spread of any disease. By leveraging these strategies, African countries can enhance their response to mpox. This includes improving diagnostic capabilities, strengthening cross-border collaborations, and prioritizing vaccination campaigns where needed. Ultimately, by applying the hard-earned lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola outbreak, the East Africa region can better address the challenges posed by mpox and safeguard public health.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1578
Number of pages9
JournalViruses
Volume16
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Oct 2024

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Ebola virus
  • epidemic
  • global health security
  • mpox vaccine
  • mpox virus
  • pandemic
  • poxvirus

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