A year ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC triggered the highest health alert for an outbreak of mpox, also known as monkeypox. The disease was spreading in several countries in Africa, and experts warned that the response has been an indicator of how poorly prepared the world is for a future pandemic.
The WHO public health emergency was meant to mobilize international action, but critics say the response has faltered. Scientists were concerned about the emergence of a new strain of mpox that was spreading rapidly and showing up in countries where it hadn’t been seen before. The outbreak’s location in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a war zone with limited healthcare access, made control even more challenging.
Today, the virus is still uncontrolled, and its geographic reach has expanded to 24 African countries. Despite tens of thousands of cases, many countries lack accurate data due to reduced surveillance programs. The US cut funding for disease surveillance during the Trump administration, leaving a significant gap in global monitoring.
A vaccine is available, but its rollout has been chaotic, with disputes over distribution and logistics. Only 90,000 doses have reached Africa, short of the Biden administration’s promise of 1 million. Many doses remain stuck in warehouses or have expired, wasting valuable resources.
Experts warn that if this is how the world responds to dangerous diseases, it raises serious concerns about preparedness for future pandemics. The response has been inadequate, and the virus is getting more entrenched in human populations. A revised strategy and increased investment are needed to effectively combat outbreaks like mpox.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/08/15/nx-s1-5500224/one-year-of-mpox-health-emergency