A perfect storm of reduced foreign aid, evolving viral strains, and strained healthcare systems threatens to unleash a major MPOX epidemic across Africa and beyond. Experts warn of teh urgent need for robust national strategies to combat the escalating crisis.
The global fight against MPOX faces a significant setback as dwindling foreign aid jeopardizes crucial testing and monitoring efforts, especially in vulnerable regions like the Democratic republic of Congo (DRC).This reduction in support,coupled with the virus’s alarming evolution towards more efficient human-to-human transmission,paints a grim picture for public health.
Fragile Healthcare Systems at Risk
For countries already grappling with conflict and instability, like the DRC, the reduction in foreign assistance has dire consequences. As Kaseya, a health expert working in the DRC, explains:
With the aid cup and insecurity, we do not manage well in terms of collection and transport of samples. It is a major alert … We exhibit the continent and even beyond the continent to a major epidemic.
this highlights the critical role of external support in maintaining even basic disease surveillance and response capabilities. The current trajectory suggests the epidemic is far from contained, demanding immediate and decisive action.
The Urgent Need for National Strategies
Health experts emphasize the critical need for individual nations to step up and implement comprehensive testing policies,specifically targeting high-risk populations. This proactive approach is essential for early detection and preventing the virus from spreading across borders. Dismas damian, a health consultant with canadian International Health, underscores this point:
This is likely to spread to othre countries. The epidemiological surveillance of epidemics in these areas (such as the DRC) has strongly supported foreign aid. With low tests and surveillance, this means that many cases are not detected.
Dismas Damian, Canadian International Health
The recent confirmation of MPOX cases in France and the United Arab Emirates, linked to travel to East and Central Africa, serves as a stark reminder of the virus’s potential to spread globally. tanzania’s recent report of its first two cases further underscores the urgency of the situation.
evolving Virus: A Shift Towards Human Transmission
Recent research published in Nature highlights a concerning shift in MPOX transmission dynamics.Scientists from the University of Surrey warn that the virus is increasingly spreading through human-to-human contact, particularly intimate contact, rather than primarily through animal transmission. Moreover, the emergence of more aggressive clade I variants, accumulating genetic mutations due to human enzymes, raises concerns about the virus’s adaptation to human hosts and its increased transmissibility.
This evolution necessitates improved diagnostic tools, treatment options, and enhanced surveillance systems to effectively combat the evolving threat. The persistent presence of animal reservoirs means that complete eradication is unlikely, making ongoing vigilance and proactive measures crucial.
Moving Beyond Dependence: A Call for Self-Reliance
George Mkoma, a Tanzanian epidemiologist, advocates for a paradigm shift in Africa’s approach to disease control, urging a move away from reliance on foreign aid towards stronger, nationally focused strategies. he suggests that:
A solid test strategy, focusing on high-risk populations such as long-distance truck drivers, woudl help rapid identification and even contact tracing. Each government must intensify its efforts to protect its own people, rather than relying solely on external aid.
This call for self-reliance emphasizes the importance of investing in local resources and expertise to build sustainable and resilient healthcare systems capable of effectively addressing public health challenges like the MPOX outbreak.