U.S. Commitment to Combating Mpox and Strengthening Health Security in Africa
For over two decades, the united States has maintained strong partnerships in global health security and progress with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and across the african continent, successfully combating infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. This commitment was underscored in fiscal year 2023 with over $2.65 billion in bilateral health funding allocated to Central and Eastern African nations, solidifying the U.S. position as the world’s largest global health donor.
Responding to the recent surge in clade I mpox cases in Central and Eastern Africa, the U.S. government,through USAID and the CDC,has swiftly mobilized important resources. An initial $20 million was provided starting in March 2024, and on August 20th, USAID announced up to an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance, pending Congressional Notification. this brings the proposed total U.S. financial contribution to over $55 million for DRC and other affected countries in the region.
Beyond financial aid, the U.S. is deploying expertise to the front lines of the response. More than 200 personnel, including epidemiologists, laboratory specialists, and risk interaction experts, are actively supporting efforts both in the United States and throughout Africa. These interventions focus on critical public health areas, including enhanced surveillance through the deployment of local field epidemiologists, proactive risk communication and community engagement, provision of essential laboratory supplies and diagnostics, strengthening infection prevention and control measures, expanding clinical services, and strategic vaccine planning.
Recognizing vaccination as a crucial component of outbreak control, the U.S. is actively facilitating vaccine access. USAID is donating 50,000 doses of the FDA-approved JYNNEOS vaccine to the DRC,alongside financial support for its effective rollout. The U.S. is also collaborating with nations possessing vaccine stockpiles, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other international partners to encourage further donations and address logistical challenges related to vaccine delivery, including demand assessment, regulatory approvals, implementation planning, and technical assistance.
The U.S. approach emphasizes a coordinated response, leveraging partnerships with bilateral, multilateral, and private sector organizations. This includes fostering collaboration between the WHO and Africa CDC on unified response strategies. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department is actively implementing the U.S.-Africa CDC Joint Action Plan, adopted in November 2023, to bolster the capacity of African Union Member States to prevent, detect, and respond to future health emergencies.
The Biden-Harris Administration remains dedicated to a comprehensive, whole-of-government response to this evolving outbreak, building upon the lessons learned from the 2022 mpox response. For more data about mpox, including signs, symptoms, treatments, and preventative measures, please visit the CDC website at https://tools.cdc.gov/mpox/.
