Originally streamed on Wednesday, 28 June 2023, 13:00-14:30 CEST, 19:00-20:30 Beijing time __ In May 2022 the multi-country mpox outbreak emerged and spread around the world prompting the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 23 July 2022. As of 13 June 2023, there have been 87 979 cases of mpox and 147 deaths reported to WHO from 112 countries.

The onset of the multi-country mpox outbreak led to an unprecedented global response focused on the cross-cutting capacities of Emergency Coordination, Collaborative Surveillance, Community Protection, Access to Countermeasures, and Clinical Care to quickly contain it. Although much progress has been made in containing the mpox outbreak it is important to continue this work to prevent resurgence of cases.

Member States were advised to strengthen key areas of readiness and response with the goal of stopping the outbreak and to strive towards mpox elimination and control based on specific epidemiological contexts. This webinar seeks to engage stakeholders from various sectors, including WHO staff, Member States, partners, and the public. It aims to gather feedback on the draft WHO global strategy for control and elimination of mpox. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute their insights and suggestions to enhance the strategy.

Speakers:

Dr Sylvie Briand, Director, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP), WHO

Dr Rosamund Lewis, Technical Lead, Mpox Response, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, WHO

Dr Meg Doherty, Director, Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes (HHS), WHO

Dr Richard Pebody, Programme Manager, Infectious Hazards Management, WHO Regional Office for Europe

Dr Tieble Traore, Technical Officer, Emergency Preparedness, WHO Regional Office for Africa (to be confirmed)

Mr Andrew Seale, Technical Officer, Office of the Director, Global HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections programmes, WHO (to be confirmed)