Rapid regional mobile laboratory response and genomic monkeypox virus (MPXV) surveillance in seven East African Community partner states, August 2024: preparedness activities for the ongoing outbreak

Euro Surveill. 2024 Aug;29(35):2400541. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.35.2400541.

Abstract

The East African Community (EAC) is experiencing an unprecedented, emerging mpox outbreak since July 2024 in five of eight partner states. We highlight rapid regional response measures, initiated August 2024 coordinated by EAC: field deployment of six mobile laboratories in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan to high-risk areas, donation of one mobile laboratory to Democratic Republic of the Congo and genomic monkeypox virus (MPXV) surveillance support. These interventions aim to limit local mpox spread and support international containment.

Keywords: EAC Mobile Laboratory; East African Community; Mpox clade Ib; Outbreak response; genomic surveillance.

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Eastern / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Mobile Health Units
  • Monkeypox virus* / genetics
  • Monkeypox virus* / isolation & purification
  • Mpox (monkeypox)* / epidemiology
  • Mpox (monkeypox)* / virology
  • Population Surveillance