New WHO Corps Targets Mpox Outbreaks

In October 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) for the first time to assist countries combating mpox outbreaks. Established in 2023, the GHEC gathers skilled professionals to bolster health emergency response and streamline collaboration across emergency networks. This activation supports 18 African nations affected by mpox, with extensive resources allocated to improve case detection, contact tracing, vaccination, and infection prevention.

Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO’s Health Emergencies Executive Director, highlighted WHO’s work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, coordinating efforts with local health agencies to reduce mpox transmission and manage logistics. Dr. Abdou Salam Gueye, WHO’s Regional Emergency Director, underscored the importance of deploying regional health professionals, emphasizing that local experts enhance response relevance and effectiveness.

Through the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) and the African Volunteers Health Corps, WHO has deployed 56 experts to affected areas. The GHEC and GOARN are further assessing and mapping emergency workforce capacities and resources to improve epidemiology, risk communication, laboratory, and community engagement initiatives across affected regions.