Global Alarm Sounds: Mpox Outbreak Highlights Urgent Need for Solidarity and Action

As the mpox outbreak continues to escalate in Africa, health leaders are sounding the alarm about the dire consequences of a lack of global solidarity in responding to this emerging public health crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared an international public health emergency as cases spread beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where mpox is endemic. So far this year, over 18,700 cases have been reported across Africa, resulting in more than 500 deaths—figures that already surpass the total for 2023. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued a continental public health emergency, emphasizing the urgent need for action. Dr. Ebere Okereke, an associate fellow in the global health programme at Chatham House, highlighted the potential ramifications of failing to respond effectively to the outbreak, warning that it could facilitate the emergence of new and more virulent variants. “The risk of a failure to act now is not just a risk to Africa, but to the rest of the world,” she cautioned. Okereke further noted that the current situation presents a critical opportunity for the global community to demonstrate that lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding health equity have been incorporated into future responses. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant inequities in global health responses, with vaccines and essential medical resources taking considerably longer to reach developing nations compared to wealthier countries. This imbalance has strained international relations and fostered distrust between nations. Ongoing negotiations around a pandemic agreement intended to establish a framework for responding to major health emergencies have stalled, with equity in access to treatments and vaccines remaining a contentious issue. “The manner in which the global community reacts to the mpox emergency will serve as a litmus test for the potential effectiveness of a future pandemic treaty,” Okereke asserted. A lackluster response could undermine confidence in current emergency declaration systems and raise questions about the capacity of global health frameworks to protect vulnerable populations. Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, criticized the historical pattern of neglect towards endemic diseases in the global south, pointing out that mpox has been a persistent issue in several African nations for years. “It wasn’t until the outbreak posed a threat to the west that serious action was taken,” he stated, echoing concerns about the prioritization of profit over public health. He urged wealthy nations to confront pharmaceutical corporations that impede equitable access to vaccines, calling for decisive actions in the ongoing treaty negotiations to prevent similar disparities in the future. In response to the current crisis, the United States has pledged to donate 50,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to the DRC. However, health leaders from the Africa CDC argue that a more sustainable solution is needed—one that involves establishing a reliable supply chain and enhancing local manufacturing capabilities on the continent. The mpox outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global health and the necessity for a unified approach in addressing health crises. As nations grapple with the implications of this emergency, the way forward will determine not only the outcome of the current outbreak but also the preparedness of the world for future pandemics. The stakes are high, and the call for equitable access to healthcare resources has never been more urgent.