Navigating the Mpox Crisis Blindly: A Doctor's Perspective

Just a year has passed since the World Health Organization raised the alarm, declaring mpox a major global health threat.

The Previously Overlooked Mpox Becomes a Threat

The alarming rise of mpox cases captured global attention across 2022 and 2023, with tens of thousands being affected. Painful skin lesions became widespread, triggering massive vaccination campaigns.

Though it feels like a forgotten issue in 2025, mpox remains very much a current crisis.

The Worrying Spread Across Africa

Nurse Caroline Mugun from Mombasa, Kenya, highlights the severe distress experienced by mpox patients, likening their ordeals to another level of suffering.

In the last twelve months, the virus has swiftly transcended borders, infecting 24 African nations, a significant increase from 13. For several of these countries, it's their first encounter with mpox.

Criticisms of the Global Response

August 14 marks a full year since the World Health Organization's emergency alert. Despite an investment of $1.1 billion to curb the spread of mpox, critics argue the measures were insufficient.

Understanding Mpox's Origins and Transmission

Historically, mpox was linked with remote areas in West and Central Africa, occasionally transmitted to humans from wildlife, primarily rodents. The renaming from 'monkeypox' to 'mpox' occurred in 2022 to reflect this broader understanding.

A year ago, a new variant, Clade 1b, posed an emerging threat, rapidly proliferating, especially among certain communities including sex workers. The epicenter, the conflict-laden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, drove its spread across neighboring nations.

The continent has seen nearly 97,000 suspected cases in this year alone, but unfortunately, these figures likely fall short of reality.

Challenges in Accurate Case Reporting

Inadequate reporting stems from a mix of stigma and insufficient infrastructure, leaving many mpox cases unreported. The reduction in foreign aid, specifically from the United States, has exacerbated these challenges.

The Criticism of Global Health Actions

The sentiment among many mpox experts is one of frustration. They feel efforts to combat the virus haven't kept pace with its spread, resulting in lapses and setbacks in public health advances.

Vaccine Distribution Difficulties

While vaccines exist, only a fraction of the African population has been immunized. Initial delays in the vaccine approval process by WHO further impeded vaccination rollout.

Despite pledges from countries like the U.S., vaccine shipments have fallen short, and distribution deadlines have come and gone with little progress.

Improving Preparedness for Future Epidemics

Experts warn that a failure to effectively address mpox may undermine international alert systems and compromise responses to future epidemics.

Hope Amidst Challenges

While challenges persist, progress is being made. Regulatory approvals and diagnostic capabilities in Africa have increased notably, highlighting growing capacity to address health crises.

Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, underscores the importance of the emergency declaration in rallying resources and fostering continental cooperation.