Submission ID 116857
| Issue/Objective | Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease endemic to parts of Africa, resurged in Central and West Africa in 2024, posing significant public health challenges. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024. Given the potential for widespread transmission and its socio-economic impact, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and the Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC), implemented a coordinated regional strategy. The primary objectives were to mitigate the spread of Mpox and enhance preparedness and response capacities across member states. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A multi-pronged response strategy was deployed, including: • Activation of the ECOWAS Regional EOC at Level 1 response mode. • Conduct of quarterly regional coordination meetings to align response efforts. • Development of a regional incident action plan and publication of weekly situation reports. • Capacity-building initiatives, including regional training workshops on laboratory diagnostics, genomic sequencing, IPC, and case management. • Provision of essential laboratory reagents and execution of simulation exercises. • Public awareness campaigns focusing on Mpox transmission, prevention, and symptoms. • Strengthening cross-border coordination and data-sharing mechanisms to facilitate joint outbreak investigations and harmonized risk communication strategies. |
| Results | The coordinated response contributed to a significant reduction in Mpox transmission rates compared to initial projections. The number of confirmed cases declined sharply in the last weeks of 2024. Enhanced surveillance and reporting systems improved case detection and response times, while multisectoral collaboration under the One Health approach reinforced the integration of human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Public awareness initiatives successfully countered misinformation, leading to improved public adherence to preventive measures. Technical and material support bridged critical gaps in national responses, strengthening overall outbreak management. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This comprehensive regional response highlights the critical role of coordination in addressing transboundary health threats. By integrating capacity-building, surveillance enhancement, and public engagement, ECOWAS significantly contributed to controlling the Mpox outbreak in West Africa. The experience gained provides a strategic framework for future public health emergencies, emphasizing the need for regional collaboration to achieve effective and equitable health outcomes in resource-constrained settings. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Victor Fatimehin ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control Mamadou Diarrassouba ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control Babacar Fall ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control Aishat Usman ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control |
