World Must Remain Vigilant Despite End to Mpox Emergency, Says AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) acknowledged today the World Health Organization's decision to declare an end to the global mpox (monkeypox) emergency on May 11 but calls for governments and international public health institutions to be vigilant by ensuring there are sufficient resources and vaccines available for all nations to continue their mpox responses, particularly lower-income countries.

"While it is good news that monkeypox [mpox] seems to be relatively contained, we are not confident that worldwide efforts are coordinated and targeted enough to fully end the disease – a disease that has been and will continue to be neglected, especially in African and other lower-income countries, unless governments have adequate resources and make a conscious effort to fight it effectively," said AHF President Michael Weinstein. "The next very contagious monkeypox-type infectious disease is always on the horizon, and are we ready? No."

"Mpox, like COVID-19, showed that the world still needs a true alliance and global public health framework that not only enables new technologies, such as vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, to emerge quickly but also ensures that these commodities reach the people who need them most," added Dr. Fernanda Fonseca, AHF Associate Global Medical Director, and Country Medical Program Coordinator for AHF Brazil. "Mpox also reminded us of the central role of communication when discussing any health issue, especially those that can lead to stigma and discrimination. HIV/AIDS taught us that the involvement of organized civil society and the people directly affected is a must for getting the language and communication right from the start."

About AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)

AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.7 million people in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare.

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