Over $800 million has been pledged to support the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in its fight against a rapidly escalating mpox outbreak, exceeding initial funding goals. The announcement was made by the agency’s director general, Jean Kaseya, on Thursday, marking a significant step forward in the continent’s response to the viral outbreak, which has caused widespread concern across multiple countries.

Initially, Africa CDC had aimed to raise $600 million to combat the mpox outbreak. The disease, which was declared a global health emergency in mid-August, has been spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to neighboring nations. “We have surpassed our target,” Kaseya told reporters, revealing that the agency had received pledges totaling $814 million. He further noted that with additional support under discussion, the figure could reach nearly $1 billion.

The funding will play a crucial role in addressing the outbreak, which has seen over 32,000 suspected cases and 840 deaths across Africa this year, according to Africa CDC data. The severity of the outbreak and its continued spread have put immense pressure on healthcare systems, making this financial backing more essential than ever.

U.S. Support and Vaccine Supply

A substantial portion of the pledged funds will come from the United States, which has committed $500 million to the response plan. In addition to the financial assistance, the U.S. has also promised to provide 1 million doses of the mpox vaccine. This contribution is expected to make a significant difference in curbing the spread of the disease, as vaccination is seen as one of the most effective tools in controlling outbreaks.

Africa CDC has so far secured 4.3 million vaccine doses, but this is still less than half of the more than 10 million doses needed to begin effectively controlling the outbreak. “We need far more vaccine doses to reach our target and effectively curb this outbreak,” Kaseya emphasized.

The remaining $314 million of the pledged funds will come from a newly established mpox fund. This fund has been set up to collect contributions from African Union member states and international partners. Included in this amount is $129 million from the Pandemic Fund, an initiative designed to support countries in dealing with emerging health threats.

International Contributions

In addition to the U.S. support, other international organizations have stepped up. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has contributed around $72 million for vaccine development. CEPI is also providing $145 million for expanding vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa, with a focus on facilities in Rwanda. This move is seen as a key step towards ensuring Africa’s ability to produce vaccines locally, reducing reliance on international suppliers and improving response times in future health crises.

Modifying the Response Plan

As the outbreak continues to spread, Africa CDC is working to adjust its response strategy. “We will redistribute this funding based on discussions with our partners to ensure that all affected and high-risk countries receive the support they need,” Kaseya said. He stressed that the situation remains fluid, and the agency is prepared to modify its approach as necessary.

With cases now reported in more countries across the continent, Africa CDC is ramping up efforts to ensure that resources are allocated effectively. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported nearly 30,000 suspected mpox cases in Africa as of this week, highlighting the scale of the crisis.

The pledged funds, combined with the vaccine doses and expanded manufacturing capabilities, offer hope that Africa can bring the mpox outbreak under control. However, the coming months will be crucial as the region continues to grapple with this evolving health emergency.

(Adapted from USNews.com)