Mpox outbreak calls for new approach about preparedness

The recent outbreak of Mpox in the region has triggered the rethinking around pandemic preparedness, and now Kenya is hosting a meeting to discuss this issue and related challenges.

Last week at the Amref International University, health experts called on the Africa CDC member countries to strengthen collaboration and creation of regional partnerships in the wake of a constant outbreak of deadly infectious diseases.

Ebola, Covid-19 and lately the Mpox, previously known as the Monkeypox, are prevalent examples of public health emergencies of both regional and global concern. Mpox for instance, endemic in central and West Africa, the infectious disease later caused a global outbreak in 2022, leading to a World Health Organisation – WHO – public health emergency in July as it became a multi-country outbreak.

Ahead of the East Africa region global health security summit in January 2025 in Kilifi, stakeholders emphasised the need for pandemic preparedness as the region remains exposed to such threats as bioterrorism and biosecurity.

Dr Judith Kose, Regional Program Lead for the Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating center (Eastern Africa RCC) for the AfricaCDC during the media launch for the East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit 2025 that the need for action remains urgent, in the wake of the Mpox outbreak.

“The ongoing partnerships among Eastern African countries are crucial to enhancing health security and preparedness for future threats,” Dr. Kose noted as she represented Dr. Mazyanga Mazaba, Regional Director for the Eastern Africa Regional Co-coordinating Centre of Africa CDC at Amref International University. The interconnected nature of health security—where diseases know no borders—requires a united front, she emphasised.

“This means not only regional cooperation but also the strengthening of global partnerships spanning countries, the public sector, private sector, and civil society,” Dr. Kose added.