A Bold New Initiative Against Mpox

In a powerful alliance to combat the Mpox crisis, the European Commission has teamed up with the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to dramatically enhance testing efforts across the continent. This strategic partnership comes at a critical time as many African nations grapple with inadequate vaccination and testing rates.

Introducing the PAMTA Initiative

Unveiling plans on July 31, the newly formed Partnership to Accelerate Mpox Testing and Sequencing in Africa (PAMTA) aims to elevate diagnostic capabilities and fortify resilience against future health threats. In an ambitious move, the initiative will fund the procurement of over 150,000 Mpox tests and support local manufacturing, fostering the production of testing kits within Africa.

Context: A Continuing Challenge

Despite the global community pledging 2.9 million vaccines, the Mpox outbreak in Central Africa remains a pressing concern one year after the World Health Organization classified it as a public health emergency. To address this ongoing crisis, the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) of the EU is spearheading coordinated vaccine procurement and donations.

Status Update: Vaccination and Injury Rates Worsen

While case rates have seen a decline in many regions, the Democratic Republic of Congo—Mpox's epicenter—has experienced a troubling surge, with cases increasing nearly 20% in recent weeks. Although Africa CDC officials report a downturn in overall Mpox cases, the need for heightened testing and relentless community surveillance is more urgent than ever.

A Dire Vaccine Situation

Sadly, testing rates in DR Congo remain critically low. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff at Africa CDC, has sounded the alarm on severe vaccine shortages in Uganda and Sierra Leone, echoing the delays seen during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Urgent Need for More Vaccines

By mid-June, only 664,000 individuals had received Mpox vaccinations—a stark contrast to the 6.4 million doses required between March and August of this year. This shortfall underscores the dire need for a sustainable vaccine strategy.

Looking Ahead: A Strong Commitment

Keen on strengthening public health infrastructure in Africa, the European Commission has made the continent’s health directives a priority within its global strategy. Additionally, it pledged technical and financial support to launch the African Medicines Agency (AMA), aimed at regulating medical products and devices across Africa by March 2024.

As both the EU and Africa take decisive steps toward enhancing Mpox testing and vaccination efforts, the future of public health on the continent remains a focal point of global concern and investment.