Mpox: Community responses and lessons learned


Mpox: Community responses and lessons learned

Showcasing how countries are responding to the Mpox outbreak

13
Days
11
Hours

Register now

Languages: English and French

OVERVIEW


Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a viral disease caused by an orthopoxvirus called monkeypox virus. It transmits between humans through close contact with lesions, body fluids, infectious respiratory particles or contaminated materials, or from animals to humans through contact with live animals or consumption of contaminated ‘bushmeat’. Mpox causes signs and symptoms which usually begin within a week of exposure but can start one to 21 days later. Symptoms typically last for two to four weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system. Normally, fever, muscle aches and sore throat appear first, followed by skin and mucosal rash. Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is also a typical feature of Mpox, present in most cases. Children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are at risk of developing complications and dying of mpox.

On 14 August 2024, the WHO Director-General determined that the upsurge of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), the highest level of alarm under the IHR.

The clade Ib Mpox outbreak, which began in September 2023 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is having an increasing number of cases in the country and also expanding to neighboring countries. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have each reported Mpox cases. Additionally, Cote d’Ivoire is reporting cases of clade II Mpox for the first time since the start of the multi-country outbreak in 2022.

Download the complete concept note

OBJECTIVES



The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) in collaboration with the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) are organizing the webinar “Mpox: Community responses and lessons learned”.

The webinar aims to showcase how countries are responding to the Mpox outbreak, highlighting the progress achieved in the African Region. It will also provide a platform for exchanging lessons learned that could further inspire and support ongoing community interventions addressing Mpox in the Region.


AGENDA


TimeAgenda ItemSpeaker
10 minutes

Opening remarks

Dr. Akudo Ezinne Ikpeazu
HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, STIs Team Lead, WHO AFRO

Hon. Dr. David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa
SAA, President/ICASA 2023 President

10 minutes

Mpox: overview of the situation in the African Region


10 minutes

Mpox risk communication and community engagement

Dr. Julienne Ngoundoung Anoko
Mpox response regional team lead, HEPR-Community, Protection WHO AFRO Regional Focal Point, WHO AFRO/Regional Hub of Emergencies

10 minutes

Mpox and HIV interactions: leveraging the experience of HIV programmes to support the mpox response

Dr. Agnes P. Adilakshmi Chetty
Medical Officer STI, WHO AFRO

10 minutes

Exploring countries’ experiences and lessons learned

MOH representatives from Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda

10 minutes

Mpox vaccination equity

Dr. Sidy Ndiaye
Technical Officer, Immunization, WHO AFRO

30 minutes

Questions and answers

Moderator and speakers

5 minutes

Closing remarks

Moderator


13 November 2024