In a strategic move to combat the ongoing mpox outbreak, more than 300 World Health Organization (WHO) disease surveillance and outbreak response experts, originally deployed to support polio eradication efforts, have been integrated into mpox control initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This scaling up of resources is part of WHO’s effort to address the ongoing public health emergency in the region.

“The Polio Eradication Programme has played a pivotal role in community-based disease surveillance. The knowledge gained from this initiative, combined with the expertise of our immunization and polio workers, will be crucial in identifying at-risk groups and engaging communities to halt the spread of mpox,” stated Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

These experts bring extensive field experience, especially in areas such as active surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing, and risk communication. Their efforts have already been instrumental in the fight against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the region.

In 2023 and 2024, these experts were key contributors to the success of a nationwide polio vaccination campaign in the DRC, targeting over 25 million children within just three days. This campaign led to a significant decrease in polio incidence, reducing cases by more than 90%.

“Our hands-on experience with infectious diseases and deep-rooted integration within the communities make us a vital part of the ongoing mpox response,” said Dr. Jean-Blaise Iyala, a polio responder stationed in the northern Bas-Uélé province. “Just as we’ve swiftly identified and managed polio cases in the past, we are now applying those same principles to detect and manage mpox nationwide.”

Mpox, a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, has already been detected in 15 African countries this year. The DRC accounts for 90% of the reported cases, with over 21,000 suspected cases and 700 deaths recorded to date.

The DRC has received more than 200,000 mpox vaccine doses, and WHO is actively working with national authorities and partner organizations to prepare for a coordinated vaccine rollout. Targeted vaccination is a critical strategy to reduce the virus’s spread by breaking chains of infection.

WHO’s support extends beyond vaccination efforts. The organization is helping the DRC and other affected countries establish cold-chain systems for vaccine storage, enhance testing and contact tracing capabilities, and build local capacity. Additionally, WHO is working to counter misinformation about the virus and the vaccine.

WHO is also collaborating with key partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF to secure urgently needed vaccine donations from countries with existing stockpiles through the interim medical countermeasures network.

Mpox is primarily transmitted through close physical contact and, while most people recover, it can be fatal, especially for children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems, including those living with HIV.

With WHO’s mobilization of polio experts and the collective efforts of international partners, the DRC is better equipped to confront the mpox outbreak and safeguard the health of its population.