A test tube labeled “ampox virus positive” is held in this image taken on August 20, 2024. Photo credit: Reuters
Africa has secured less than 10% of the estimated US$245 million needed to fight the growing ampox outbreak on the continent, a senior official at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The continent is under pressure to prevent outbreaks of the potentially deadly infection, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Global health emergency declared In mid-August, when a new variant began spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries.
Africa CDC has prepared a budget to mobilize the funds available for the MPOX response and the resources it needs. “We have arrived at a first estimate of US$245 million,” said Africa CDC Chief of Staff Ngashi Ngongo at the WHO meeting in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo.
Ngongo pointed out that the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has pledged US$10 million in the fight against the outbreak, while the African Union has approved US$10.4 million. Therefore, about US$20 million is currently available for the response, he said, adding that these figures will be updated.
“The current gap is about US$224 million, which we would like to achieve,” he said.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said during the meeting that the organization is on track to secure about 1 million doses of the Ampox vaccine.
These include 215,000 doses from vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic, 100,000 doses from France, around 100,000 doses from Germany and about 500,000 doses from Spain. There is no timeline yet for when vaccines will reach the Democratic Republic of CongoWhich is most affected by the virus.
Ampox is a viral infection that causes pus-filled sores and flu-like symptoms. It is usually mild, but can be life-threatening.