Meeting Report: United in the Fight Against Mpox in Africa High-level Emergency Regional Meeting

Executive summary

From April 11-13, 2024, a ‘High-Level Emergency Regional Meeting on Mpox in Africa’ was convened by Africa CDC in collaboration with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and multiple other partners, including CEPI, WHO, UNICEF, INSP, and US Government among others. This report highlights key findings from 9 technical sessions.
The high-level ministerial meeting brought together over 05 Ministers of Health and delegates from 11 AU Member States (1)
To share the latest research and insights on Mpox, including its epidemiology, transmission, and prevention strategies (2)
To review and enhance existing response frameworks and collaboration mechanisms among affected countries (3)
To foster partnerships and coordinate efforts with international health organizations and donors for effective outbreak response and management including vaccination and, (4)
To develop a comprehensive action plan for Mpox surveillance, control, and prevention across the continent.

The high-level emergency meeting recognized the need for timely, accurate, and quality information on mpox situation in Africa to inform decision-making, program interventions, monitoring, and evaluations for the fight against mpox in Africa. The Ministers of Health of Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, and partners emphasized the urgent need for strengthened preparedness and response to mpox in the African Union Member States, highlighting the need for cross-border integrated disease surveillance and a coordinated regional approach. It called for partners to harmonize support and interact with the African Taskforce for mpox coordination to fulfill mandates.