NIGERIA, WHO – Financial constraints are threatening the World Health Organization’s (WHO) efforts to combat mpox, with funding shortages impacting response strategies across multiple African nations, including Nigeria.
On February 25, 2025, the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee convened via teleconference to assess the ongoing outbreak and discuss mitigation strategies.
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The WHO initially declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024.
Since January 2022, nearly 130,000 confirmed cases and over 280 deaths have been reported across 130 countries, with seven new nations confirming their first cases since the committee’s last meeting in November 2024.
Despite efforts to control the outbreak, WHO’s emergency response remains underfunded.
Of the $87.4 million appeal launched in September 2024, only $65.5 million has been raised, with $7.5 million frozen due to the suspension of U.S. contributions.
Nigeria, home to over 200 million people, provided updates on its response efforts.
Health officials confirmed that 20,000 doses of the mpox vaccine have been administered, prioritizing healthcare workers, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men.
While research into the outbreak continues, there is no evidence suggesting that animals play a role in sustaining human transmission.
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WHO officials and committee members expressed concern over the continued spread of mpox beyond Africa, warning that prolonged funding shortages could hinder containment efforts.
Discussions also centered on whether mpox should remain classified as a PHEIC, weighing its benefits in mobilizing global resources against potential drawbacks, such as reducing the effectiveness of emergency alerts over time.
With financial uncertainty looming, WHO is reviewing available resources to address critical gaps.
Nigerian health authorities, alongside international stakeholders, continue to push for sustained funding and coordinated efforts to contain the outbreak before further escalation.