Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox- 2024-2027

Overview

This Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox (2024–2027) outlines a road map for health authorities, communities, and stakeholders worldwide to control mpox outbreaks in every context, advance mpox research and access to countermeasures, and minimize zoonotic transmission. There are two known clades of monkeypox virus (MPXV) with distinct epidemiological patterns and clinical outcomes. Clade I MPXV occurs primarily in East and Central Africa, where cases have been rising for decades and are associated with higher case fatality than clade II MPXV, which first appeared in West Africa. A major emergence of mpox linked to clade II began in Nigeria 2017, which since 2022 subsequently spread to all regions of the world. Transmission of mpox continues, putting people at risk of a potentially dangerous emerging pathogen which resembles smallpox. Following the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and global efforts to curb the outbreak amidst continuing concern of the public health burden of mpox in Africa, the overarching goal of this framework is to achieve and sustain elimination of human-to-human transmission of mpox. This framework emphasizes integrating efforts of all health programmes, including epidemiological disease surveillance; sexual health services, risk communication and community engagement; as well as primary health care, immunization and other clinical services.   Coordination among all partners remains essential to ensure a continued robust response for mpox.