mpox outbreaks spread across Africa, threatening US next

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has seen a resurgence in Africa, with over 5,000 confirmed cases reported by the World Health Organization as of early September. The Democratic Republic of Congo has the highest number of cases, but the outbreak is spreading to other regions. This year's surge is attributed to a new strain, clade I, which differs from the 2022 outbreak that primarily affected men who have sex with men. The current transmission is occurring through heterosexual and nonsexual contact, necessitating a broader public health response. To combat the outbreak, the Africa CDC and WHO have declared a public health emergency. The previous outbreak was managed through targeted vaccination efforts, but the current situation requires a more extensive approach due to the different transmission dynamics. Vaccine availability remains a concern, as the company has sent over 250,000 doses to the DRC but can only produce an additional 2 million doses by year-end, which is insufficient for the estimated 10 million people needing vaccination. High-income countries must provide financial resources to support the WHO and Africa CDC in their efforts to control the outbreak. Failure to do so could lead to a more severe and costly outbreak in the future. Additionally, misinformation tends to spread during fast-moving outbreaks, highlighting the need for proactive communication strategies to inform the public and counter false narratives. There is a critical window for an effective response to mpox, and timely action is essential to prevent a repeat of past public health failures. If the global community does not act swiftly, the consequences could mirror the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in unnecessary suffering and loss.