The IFRC has stated that the mpox response in Africa is impeded by a lack of testing and vaccines

In order to effectively address the recent outbreak of a novel strain of the mpox virus in Africa, an official of the Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian network stated on Friday that a significant quantity of diagnostic instruments, treatments, and vaccines must be transported to the region.

“There is a critical shortage of testing, treatment, and vaccines throughout the continent,” stated Bronwyn Nichol of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) during a media call on Friday.

“These shortages are severely hampering the ability to contain the outbreak.”

After the World Health Organization declared the disease a global public health emergency, health officials in Sweden confirmed an infection with the new mpox strain on Thursday, marking the first indication of its spread outside of Africa.

Nichol of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) expressed apprehension that the absence of cases in Africa could lead developed countries to violate their existing commitments to provide assistance to international organizations in Africa.

“I’m sure this will make some governments think a bit more as well… hopefully that doesn’t change some of the planned donations,” she added.

In the same media call on Friday, WHO official Margaret Harris stated that she anticipates the emergence of additional cases outside of Africa in the near future, which is also a consequence of the increased surveillance.

“The Swedish case demonstrates that the system is functioning and that countries have increased their vigilance and what to observe.” We anticipate that we will encounter instances in other regions,” stated Harris.

The chief of the global vaccine group Gavi informed Reuters on Friday that it has the capacity to allocate up to $500 million toward the provision of vaccines to countries that are being impacted by the escalating mpox outbreak in Africa.