The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to decide on the issuance of an emergency use listing (EUL) for mpox vaccine within the next three weeks.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced this at the opening of the WHO Africa regional conference on Monday following the submission of all required information by the vaccine manufacturer.
Tedros stated, “The WHO will decide on whether to issue an emergency use listing (EUL) for an mpox vaccine within three weeks after its manufacturer supplied the global body with all the required information last Friday.”
EUL is a process established by WHO to expedite the evaluation and authorisation of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments in response to public health emergencies.
Tedros also highlighted the need for approximately $135 million to bring the current mpox outbreaks in Africa under control.
He emphasised that this effort would require a “complex, comprehensive, and coordinated international response.”
WHO has faced criticism for its perceived delay in evaluating mpox vaccines that have already been approved in the United States and Europe. This delay has left African countries reliant on donated vaccines.
LEADERSHIP reported that Germany would donate 100,000 mpox vaccine doses from its military stock to African countries grappling with a severe outbreak of the virus.
Africa’s largest vaccine procurers, Gavi, and UNICEF, are unable to purchase vaccines without either an EUL or full WHO approval.
The EUL procedure is designed to fast-track unlicensed medical products in public health emergencies.
Two vaccines, Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos (also known as MVA) and Emergent BioSolutions’s ACAM2000 have been recommended for consideration by independent health experts.
In the past month, over 220 cases of clade 1b have been confirmed in four neighbouring countries including the DRC, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, none of which had previously reported mpox cases.
One of the key strategies proposed by WHO is to raise public awareness about the transmission routes of mpox.
The virus primarily spreads through close contact, including skin-to-skin and respiratory interactions, as well as through contact with contaminated objects like clothing or linen.
WHO advised that people, especially those with multiple sexual partners to take precautions to reduce their risk of infection.
“Mpox spreads from person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox, including members of a household,” the WHO emphasised in its statement.
It also highlighted that those in close community settings or involved in activities such as tattooing or healthcare are at heightened risk.
The WHO has also stressed the importance of accurate diagnosis to distinguish mpox from other infections with similar symptoms, such as chickenpox or herpes.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, particularly from samples taken from the rash, is recommended as the most reliable diagnostic method.
Additionally, HIV testing is advised for individuals diagnosed with mpox, given the higher risks associated with co-infections.
The treatment focus is on supportive care to manage symptoms and prevent complications. While there is no proven effective antiviral treatment for mpox, some antivirals have received emergency use authorisation and are being evaluated in clinical trials.
“It is a priority to continue evaluation of therapeutics in robust clinical trials and to focus on optimizing supportive care for patients,” WHO experts noted.
To prevent infection, the global health body recommended vaccination for high-risk groups, including healthcare workers, individuals with multiple sexual partners, and those in close contact with infected individuals.
It also advised post-exposure prophylaxis, where vaccines should be administered within four days of exposure to the virus to reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.
For those who contract mpox, WHO advised a series of self-care measures to aid recovery and prevent transmission.
These include staying isolated in well-ventilated rooms, covering skin lesions, wearing masks around others, and avoiding scratching or popping blisters to prevent secondary infections.
Additionally, infected individuals are urged to maintain good hygiene by washing hands frequently and disinfecting shared spaces.
“People with mpox should isolate at home following guidance from their healthcare provider, or in a hospital if needed, for the duration of the infectious period,” WHO recommended.
The organisation also warned against engaging in sexual activities during periods of increased transmission and suggests using condoms as a precaution even after recovery.