USAID announces $35m support to tackle mpox outbreak in Africa

The United States, through USAID, has announced up to an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance to bolster response efforts for the clade I mpox outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa.

The support includes assistance with surveillance, diagnostics, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, case management, and vaccination planning and coordination.

It also includes donating 50,000 Jynneos vaccines to the DRC, the country most severely impacted by the outbreak, and resources to support vaccine readiness and delivery.

This aid is expected to enable USAID to continue working closely with affected countries and regional and global health partners to expand support and reduce the outbreak’s impact as it continues to evolve.

Since 2023, the DRC has been experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of clade I mpox.

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This outbreak has extended beyond the DRC, with several other countries in the region reporting cases in 2024, including countries where mpox has historically not been reported.

In response to elevated concerns about further international spread and its potential impact on regional and global health security, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) issued its first-ever declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.

This new commitment brings the total U.S. government support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected countries in the region to more than $55 million in response to the outbreak, according to USAID.

According to USAID, the United States remains committed to a comprehensive, whole-of-government response to this growing outbreak, and calls on other donors to join these critical efforts.

Commending the effort, Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation said, “It is great to see USAID stepping up with $35 million for the mpox outbreak! Every effort counts in protecting public health globally”.

“The US has been steadfast in its commitment to address the mpox outbreak, including the current upsurge. My thanks to USAID for recognising growing needs and providing additional support to WHO and partners in affected countries. I hope this inspires others to join in and bring the emergency under control.”