Mpox in East Africa: Learning from COVID-19 and Ebola to Strengthen Public Health Responses
Pierre Gashema, Tumusime Musafiri, Felix Ndahimana, Hyppolyte Iradukunda, Eric Saramba, Stuart T. Nyakatswau, Noël Gahamanyi, Patrick Gad Iradukunda, Ayman Ahmed, Tafadzwa Dzinamarira, Claude Mambo Muvunyi
Abstract
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) in Africa. African public health systems have moved to mobilize a response against a backdrop of inherent significant challenges. With this commentary, we discuss how lessons from past public health emergencies, particularly COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks, have prepared the region for improved disease surveillance, rapid response strategies, and effective public health communication and how these lessons can be applied to the mpox response, emphasizing the importance of strong healthcare infrastructure, effective data sharing, community engagement, targeted interventions, and robust contact tracing. Additionally, addressing misinformation and building public trust are crucial for controlling the spread of any disease. By leveraging these strategies, African countries can enhance their response to mpox. This includes improving diagnostic capabilities, strengthening cross-border collaborations, and prioritizing vaccination campaigns where needed. Ultimately, by applying the hard-earned lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola outbreak, the East Africa region can better address the challenges posed by mpox and safeguard public health.