WHO activates Global Health Emergency Corps for the first time over mpox outbreak

Sub : IR

Sec: Int org

Context:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has, for the first time, activated the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC), in response to a significant mpox outbreak affecting multiple regions, particularly in Africa.
This mobilization highlights an urgent global effort to control mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.

Mpox:

Caused by the MPXV virus and spreads primarily through close contact.
Symptoms: Fever, headache, back pain, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive pox-like rash lasting 2-3 weeks.
Incubation Period: Symptoms typically appear within 21 days of exposure.
Current Situation: Africa has reported over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths this year, with cases identified in 18 African countries and the clade 1b strain also detected in other regions, including India, Sweden, and Thailand.

Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC):

The Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC), founded in 2023 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), to address the gaps identified during the COVID-19 pandemic, represents WHO’s commitment to a unified, rapid, and efficient global health emergency response.
Purpose and Structure:
- Created to build a strong, diverse workforce ready to respond to health emergencies
- Consists of trained health professionals from various fields
- Designed to provide quick deployment capabilities during crises
Main Functions:
- Emergency response deployment
- Capacity building in countries
- Technical expertise during health crises
- Support for disease outbreak management
- Coordination of international health responses
Key Actions by GHEC:
- Support to Affected Countries: Focusing on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other nations with high mpox prevalence.
- Workforce Deployment: Mobilized 56 experts to eight countries, enhancing local response capacities.
- Core Strategies: Case detection, contact tracing, targeted vaccination, clinical and home care, infection prevention, community engagement, and logistical support.

Recent WHO Initiatives:

PHEIC Declarations: WHO classified mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2022 and reaffirmed this on August 14, 2024, in response to recent outbreaks.
Assessments and Preparedness: Pharmaceutical manufacturers have been asked to assess their readiness to provide diagnostics, while GHEC has identified 22 critical areas for response improvements in partnership with the International Association of National Public Health Institutes.