The WHO Director General declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as new clade of the virus, clade 1b, spread rapidly while clade 1a and clade 2 are also spreading rapidly in many African countries. Outside of Africa, mpox has recently been reported in Sweden, Thailand and Pakistan. As the virus spreads, affected groups are also shifting. Different regions are facing different challenges. Engaging and protecting the affected communities as our understanding of the disease and its spread evolves, is critical.
This webinar aims to highlight the work in protecting communities in the current mpox emergency and the evolving situation, including the specific needs of the different affected communities and how those can be addressed.
Speakers
Dr Maria D. Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i), Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO
Dr Kai Von Harbou, Unit Head, Community Readiness and Resilience Unit, Country Readiness Strengthening Department, WHO
Dr Viema Biaukula, Technical Officer, Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment, WHO WPRO
Dr Omar Sued, Advisor, HIV/STI Elimination, Care and Treatment, PAHO
Dr Ruben Mayorga, Senior Advisor, Civil Society Engagement for the Elimination of Communicable Diseases, PAHO
The webinar was presented by Dr Supriya Bezbaruah, EPI-WIN Lead in WHO.