Mpox Outbreak: Adapting COVID-19 Strategies to Overcome Challenges
As the mpox outbreak persists in Africa, health authorities are implementing innovative solutions, drawing from their COVID-19 experiences. But here's the catch: can a strategy designed for one crisis effectively tackle another?
Home-based care, a concept born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now being utilized to manage mpox cases in Africa. Professor Yap Boum, a key figure in the Mpox Incident Management Support Team (IMST), explains how this approach was adopted in countries like Uganda, where hospitals were overwhelmed. Patients with mild cases are isolated at home, with a dedicated room and community health worker support for 21 days.
However, this strategy is not without its complexities. Controversially, some argue that home-based care could potentially increase transmission risks if not carefully managed. Experts stress the importance of extending infection prevention measures into households, requiring clear guidelines, community involvement, and vigilant monitoring.
Sierra Leone's experience serves as a case study. Initially relying on home-based care, they later established treatment centers to enhance containment as the outbreak intensified. In contrast, Burundi admits all cases to hospitals, while Liberia and Zambia manage most cases at home.
Dr. Patrick Kabwe, a specialist at Africa CDC, highlights the need for comprehensive support in home-based care, including nutrition packages, community health workers, and essential supplies like soap and basic medical kits.
The IMST, co-led by Africa CDC and WHO, is updating guidelines to enhance this approach, incorporating risk communication, community engagement, and improved surveillance. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo emphasizes that institutional care is still crucial for specific cases.
As a complementary strategy, fractional vaccination is being used to stretch limited vaccine supplies. This method has been implemented in several countries to increase vaccination coverage. Yet, access to vaccines remains a significant obstacle, and distribution logistics pose additional challenges.
The question remains: how can Africa effectively manage this outbreak with limited resources? Over one million people have been vaccinated across 12 countries, but the continent requires 6.4 million doses to contain mpox. Experts advocate for practical solutions, emphasizing community support, reliable supplies, and essential services like food provision, as seen in Kenya and Uganda through partnerships with organizations like the World Food Programme.
The mpox outbreak, declared a continental health emergency by Africa CDC on August 13, 2024, continues to evolve with multiple virus strains. Africa CDC maintains the emergency status, and WHO Africa extends its response efforts. The joint IMST represents a significant shift in outbreak response, showcasing African-led coordination with global support.
This crisis has led to a groundbreaking change in public health management, with integrated decision-making and resource mobilization. The cholera response in 23 African countries is now following this model, marking a new era in Africa's health emergency response.
