On September 17, 2024, UNICEF announced a $58.8 million appeal to combat the increasing mpox cases affecting children in six African countries. The appeal focuses on Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Central African Republic, where clade 1 mpox cases are rising.
Children account for 60% of the nearly 22,000 suspected and confirmed cases in Africa this year, with over 80% of the 700 deaths involving kids, particularly in the DRC.
In response, the United Kingdom has ordered 150,000 more doses of the Bavarian Nordic mpox vaccine to prepare for potential cases. Globally, health officials remain vigilant for cases among travelers returning from outbreak areas.
In the United States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) outlined a research agenda aimed at understanding the virus better, optimizing vaccine usage, advancing treatments, and improving diagnostics.
