Mpox Clinical Forum 2024
What's New
- We are happy to announce that the 2nd edition of the Mpox Clinical Forum was held virtually on 12 September 2024.
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About this Program
For decades, Mpox has persistently affected communities in West and Central Africa, with reports of the disease dating back to the 1970s. Yet, despite its long-standing presence and impact, Mpox has struggled to receive the attention and resources it urgently needs, remaining a neglected tropical disease. The global outbreak that began in 2022 prompted the WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Although this status was lifted in July 2023, the crisis has persisted.
As of 2024, Mpox has spread to 111 countries across all six WHO regions. On 13 August 2024, the Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. Just one day later, the WHO reinstated the PHEIC designation for the MPXV clade I outbreak due to a sharp rise in cases.
The situation highlights a significant disparity in global response and resource allocation as many West and Central African countries are struggling with severe outbreaks, exacerbated by limited healthcare resources and considerable underreporting. The resurgence has also raised concerns about potential virus mutations, waning immunity, and the effectiveness of current treatment and vaccine strategies. Given these challenges, there is a pressing need for enhanced clinician education on Mpox, with a focus on updated surveillance and prophylactic strategies.
This program was designed to provide essential training for healthcare providers, drawing on insights from experienced clinicians and presenting the latest data on Mpox management and prevention.