July 15, 2024 — ITPC Global welcomes the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the current mpox upsurge as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on July 14, 2024.[1] Just one day prior, the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) declared the same upsurge as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).[2]
During the 2022 mpox outbreak, which primarily impacted countries in the Global North, access to critical countermeasures – such as diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics – was pivotal in controlling the spread and minimizing the impact of the virus. Unfortunately, these vital tools remain under the monopoly of a few single-source companies, with existing stocks largely owned by wealthy nations.
As an organization committed to ensuring equitable access to medicines, ITPC Global is particularly alarmed by the growing proportion of mpox cases emerging in the African region. The current mpox outbreak in Africa has intensified dramatically, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at its epicenter, accounting for over 90% of reported cases. The DRC has recorded 13,791 cases and 450 deaths this year alone, while neighboring countries like Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, previously unaffected, are now reporting their first cases. This new outbreak, driven by a more transmissible and aggressive variant, has resulted in an alarming continental case fatality rate of 3.9%, significantly higher than in previous years. Countries such as Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire are also experiencing rising case numbers, indicating a widespread and serious public health threat across the region.[3]
In the previous outbreak, African countries received minimal access to these life-saving diagnostics and therapeutics, with only a few donations making their way to the continent. As the current situation unfolds, ITPC Global is deeply concerned that the same inequities will persist, leaving African nations without the necessary resources to combat the virus effectively.
Othoman Mellouk, ITPC’s Access to Diagnostics and Medicines Lead, emphasized the urgency of the situation, “We urgently call on pharmaceutical companies, including generic manufacturers – particularly those based in Africa – to scale up the production of mpox vaccines and therapeutics. Furthermore, we implore governments to dismantle monopolistic barriers, including those related to intellectual property, to ensure broader access to these life-saving interventions. It is imperative that local manufacturing is bolstered to meet the growing demand and protect lives.”
“The global community must not repeat the mistakes of the COVID-19 pandemic, where access to essential medicines was dictated by wealth and power. This is a critical moment for solidarity and action to prevent a catastrophic outcome for Africa and beyond. We must act now to ensure equitable access to mpox vaccines and therapeutics for all affected regions,” emphasized Solange Baptiste, Executive Director of ITPC Global.
[1] https://www.who.int/news/item/14-08-2024-who-director-general-declares-mpox-outbreak-a-public-health-emergency-of-international-concern
[2] https://africacdc.org/news-item/africa-cdc-declares-mpox-a-public-health-emergency-of-continental-security-mobilizing-resources-across-the-continent/
[3] https://www.afro.who.int/news/scaling-response-curb-growing-mpox-outbreak-african-region