Independent Panel blames mpox neglect in Africa for global emergencies

A report from the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR) has asserted that years of systemic neglect regarding mpox in West and Central Africa directly triggered two preventable global health emergencies. The findings, authored by Dr. Els Torreele, highlight a critical failure by the international community to invest in African health infrastructure before the virus crossed into high-income nations. The report suggests that the global response was reactive rather than proactive, ignoring an endemic threat until it posed a direct risk to wealthier countries.

The document identifies inadequate investment in surveillance, community health systems, and vaccine distribution as the primary drivers of the recent outbreaks. For decades, mpox remained endemic in various African regions with little global attention or financial support. According to the panel, the virus was allowed to spread and evolve due to poor health infrastructure and a lack of resources in localized areas. This disparity in global health preparedness meant that by the time the virus reached non-endemic regions, it had already established a firm foothold that facilitated its global transmission.

Dr. Torreele and the panel criticized the international community for failing to implement lessons from previous viral outbreaks. By ignoring the health needs of the African continent, global leaders missed critical opportunities to contain mpox at its source. The report emphasizes that the two Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) declared for mpox were not inevitable; they could have been avoided if the international community had prioritized equitable access to medical resources and robust local monitoring systems when the virus was still geographically confined.

Moving forward, the IPPPR urges a fundamental shift in how pandemics are managed, calling for sustained investment in African health security to prevent future global threats. The authors stress that health security in high-income nations is intrinsically linked to the strength of health systems in endemic regions. To avoid a repeat of the mpox crisis, the report recommends a commitment to proactive international health financing that empowers local health authorities to manage and contain outbreaks before they scale into international crises.