The world has responded too slowly to the new mpox outbreak – here’s what it needs to do now | Mona Nemer

In the crucial first 100 days since the WHO raised the alarm, we have found worrying gaps in testing and treatment of the virus

• Dr Mona Nemer is chief science adviser of Canada and chair of the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat

Over the past year, cases of a new strain of mpox known as clade 1b began to rise significantly across central Africa, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to announce its highest alert, declaring mpox a public health emergency of international concern. In the last month, this strain has been detected in the UK, the US, Germany, Sweden and India.

The first 100 days of an outbreak are critical to determining its course. In 2021, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 100 Days Mission was agreed by global leaders - meaning that they committed to getting safe, effective and affordable tests, treatments and vaccines rolled out within 100 days of a pandemic threat being identified.