Faith Communities called to work alongside governments and wider civil society to overcome the Mpox outbreak

The World Health Organisation declared on 14 August 2024 the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The Director General stated that 'a coordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak and save lives'. 

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also officially declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).

MsPox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus (a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus). The current outbreak is caused by the 'clade 1b' strain, which is more transmissible than the strains that caused the earlier outbreak (2022- 2023). The current strain is transmitted through routine physical contact, even without intimate contact.

For most people, the infection causes a relatively mild disease characterised by fever, headaches, rashes and blisters on the skin. But for people with weakened immune systems (such as people with uncontrolled HIV), aged populations, children and pregnant women, the outcomes of the disease can be worse, causing severe illness with more serious skin lesions and other problems that can lead to death. Four out of hundred people with Mpox are estimated to manifest severe symptoms of this current strain. 

Mpox was previously declared a global outbreak in July 2022 and was declared over in May 2023, when the rest of the world controlled the epidemic[1]. Unfortunately, the disease has become endemic[2] in central Africa. It continues to cause suffering to thousands and the death of hundreds over the last year in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mpox continues to be a neglected disease affecting the most vulnerable communities and regions of the world, receiving attention only when it spreads across borders, threatening other areas That has happened now, with the Mpox breaching the national boundaries of the DRC to 15 countries in Central and Eastern Africa. With more than 17,000 cases and more than 517 deaths reported from the African continent, the infection threatens to spread to different regions of the world. Sweden's public health agency reported the first known case of the newer mpox variant monkeypox virus clade 1 outside Africa on Thursday, 16 August.

This public health emergency obliges the world to work together, collaborate closely, be committed, and invest in overcoming this emerging crisis.

The world has the knowledge, resources, systems and the technologies to overcome the outbreak of Mpox. However, the glaring inequity, injustice and lack of basic health facilities in many regions of the world excludes large proportions of the population of the world from living full and dignified lives. The ignorance, misinformation the scepticisms and the lack of trust in science and established systems add to the structural barriers in communities that deprive people of reaping the benefit of good public health. All these compel us to address the root causes and finding lasting and sustainable solutions. 

Vaccines are one component of the strategy. Proven Vaccines that are affective are available but in short supply. While it is estimated that millions of doses of vaccines are required in Africa to control this outbreak, less than 200,000 doses are currently available for the whole continent. Countries in the global north have national stockpiles, possibly of millions of doses that can potentially be released to the needy. There is also the need for hastening the authorization of these vaccines by governments in the most affected countries. 

Treatment for severe forms of the disease in the form of antiviral drugs and immunoglobulins are also available- but again, in very short supply, inaccessible and unaffordable for most nations. 

The outbreak can only be curbed by the full spectrum of a good public health response- testing, case detection, contact tracing, surveillance, medical care and strengthened services to those who are severely affected.  The gaps in these components contribute to barriers to overcoming the Mpox threat. Only timely actions can arrest this outbreak.

In this light, the World Council of Churches calls on churches and faith communities to:

• Be informed and to communicate reliable information regarding the outbreak and to work against misinformation.
• Educate communities in the prevention of transmission but to prevent the stigmatization of people affected.
• Provide care, spiritual and psychosocial support for those who are affected by Mpox.
• Support the time-tested public health measures, and follow evidence based and right based approaches that upholds human dignity.
• Hold national governments accountable to commit resources, public health responses and remove barriers to accessing prevention, care and treatment of Mpox.
• Advocate for countries in the global north to release stockpiles of Mpox vaccine for use in most affected regions.
• Advocate for the transfer of technology on diagnostics, vaccine and medicines so that the production can be scaled up through qualified generic manufactures to ensure quick and affordable access to quality products.
• Continue to advocate for functioning health systems that provide universal health care. 

By sharing the common burdens of the world, the challenges become bearable and surmountable. By upholding each other, we uphold humanity and all creation. 

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:28-30

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay

General Secretary

World Council of Churches 

Relevant links 

• Fact sheet on Mpox                        Mpox (who.int)
• Multi-country outbreak of mpox, External situation report#35- 12 August 2024 (who.int)
• Vaccines and immunization for mpox: Interim guidance, 16 November 2022 (who.int)
• WER9922-285-306.pdf (who.int)
• Clinical management of mpox (monkeypox) (who.int)
• WHO Director-General declares mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern
• Speech of the Director General / Africa CDC on the Declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) – Africa CDC
• Africa CDC Declares Mpox A Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, Mobilizing Resources Across the Continent – Africa CDC

[1] An epidemic as an unexpected increase in the number of disease cases in a specific geographical area.

[2] A disease outbreak is endemic when it is consistently present but limited to a particular region.