On August 20, 2024, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a significant increase in emergency health assistance, promising up to $35 million to support the ongoing response to the Clade I mpox outbreak in Central and East Africa. This funding, which is still pending Congressional approval, brings the total US government investment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected countries to more than $55 million since the outbreak started.
The latest financial commitment aims to strengthen collaboration among USAID, affected countries, and regional and global health partners. The funds will be used to support critical areas such as surveillance, diagnostics, risk communication, community engagement, infection prevention and control, case management, and vaccination planning and coordination. These initiatives are critical as the outbreak spreads and poses risks to public health.
Since its inception in 2023, the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been unprecedented in size and impact. The situation worsened in 2024, with several neighbouring countries reporting cases, including in areas where mpox was previously unknown. This concerning trend has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Furthermore, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued its first declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
As part of its response, the US has also donated 50,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to the DRC, which is currently the most affected by the outbreak. The United States government is committed to ensuring that the resources required for vaccine readiness and distribution are available to effectively combat the spread of mpox.
In light of the ongoing crisis, the United States emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to combating the outbreak. Officials are urging other international donors to support these critical efforts, emphasizing the importance of working together to combat this public health emergency. The collaborative response is critical not only for the affected regions but also for maintaining global health security as the situation develops.
