The world has responded too slowly to the new mpox outbreak – here’s what it needs to do now
November 21, 2024
As the 100-day mark of the mpox outbreak passes, global progress remains mixed. The Africa CDC has shown leadership, increasing vaccine distribution and local testing capacity. Yet, gaps persist: only 36% of suspected cases in the DRC have been tested, and no WHO-approved rapid diagnostic tests or treatments are available for the new clade 1b variant. Vaccines alone cannot end outbreaks; effective testing and therapeutic options are critical. The 100 Days Mission framework emphasizes the urgency of equitable vaccine rollout, point-of-care test development, and accelerated drug trials. While strides have been made, more commitment is needed to prevent future pandemics.
As we reach the 100-day milestone of the mpox outbreak caused by the clade 1b variant, global response efforts reveal progress but also significant gaps. The Africa CDC has demonstrated leadership by procuring 42,000 test kits to decentralize diagnostics and securing vaccine pledges. However, testing challenges and the lack of treatments or rapid diagnostics hinder containment efforts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the hardest-hit country.
Vaccines alone cannot end the outbreak. Diagnostic delays remain a major obstacle, with only 36% of suspected cases in the DRC tested, far short of the Africa CDC’s goal of 80%. Although WHO has approved near-point-of-care diagnostics for emergency use, the world still lacks antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that meet its standards. These RDTs, akin to COVID-19 rapid tests, could be transformative for identifying mpox strains in rural and resource-limited settings, but current options are not yet sensitive enough.
Therapeutics represent another critical gap. Despite efforts to explore repurposed treatments and monoclonal antibody drugs, no therapies are approved for the new variant. Funding and political attention for pandemic-prone diseases remain limited, delaying clinical trials and drug development. A therapeutics development coalition has been established to address these issues, but most candidate treatments are still in preclinical stages.
The 100 Days Mission underscores the need for rapid action to contain outbreaks and prevent future pandemics. Leaders must prioritize equitable vaccine distribution, accelerate the development of point-of-care tests, and commit to expanding clinical trials for promising treatments. Lessons from previous emergencies have not been fully integrated, slowing the global response. Pandemic risk is increasing, and outbreaks like mpox demand proactive investment in preparedness and innovation. The challenge is clear—whether the world will act decisively remains to be seen.