Indonesia has introduced a new health pass requirement for all incoming travelers, aimed at curbing the spread of the Mpox virus. The SATUSEHAT Health Pass, a mandatory electronic self-declaration form, must be completed within 48 hours prior to arrival. This initiative reflects Indonesia’s commitment to public health and its efforts to prevent potential outbreaks. The country has also strengthened its healthcare infrastructure and vaccine stockpiles to manage Mpox cases effectively.
The Democratic Republic of Congo received its first shipment of mpox vaccines on Thursday, marking a significant step in combating the ongoing outbreak. This comes after the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreaks in 12 African countries a global health emergency. The vaccines, donated by the European Union, are expected to help address the inequity in access to vaccines between African nations and wealthier countries.
Pakistan has reported its fifth mpox case, with Peshawar emerging as an epicenter for the virus. The recent case involves a traveler returning from the Gulf, raising concerns about the spread from West Asia. Authorities are implementing stringent screening measures at airports and coordinating closely to contain the outbreak.
Indonesia has implemented a mandatory health declaration form, the SATUSEHAT Health Pass, for all travelers entering the country, in response to growing concerns about the spread of Mpox. This comes as Australian health authorities urge vigilance and vaccination due to new Mpox cases and a mutated virus strain declared a health emergency by the WHO.
UNICEF, in collaboration with Gavi, Africa CDC, and WHO, has launched an emergency tender to secure up to 12 million doses of mpox vaccines for crisis-hit countries. This initiative aims to address the ongoing mpox outbreak, particularly in Africa, and ensure timely access to vaccines for those most in need.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to deliver mpox vaccines to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the coming days, as the country faces a surge in cases of a new strain. The WHO declared an international emergency over mpox in August due to the rapid spread of the Clade 1b strain. The organization aims to control the outbreaks within the next six months, emphasizing the need for a political solution to ongoing insecurity in the region.
Virax Biolabs Group Limited has secured distribution rights for Mpox virus detection kits in Europe and the Gulf region. The kits, approved for sale in Europe and authorized by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, offer high sensitivity and specificity, delivering results in under 70 minutes.
A new strain of the mpox virus, clade Ib, is spreading rapidly in Africa and has been linked to cases in Europe and Asia. Scientists are concerned about the limited understanding of the virus, its severity, and transmission dynamics. The strain’s rapid evolution and potential for human-to-human transmission raise alarm bells, prompting calls for increased research and resources to combat the outbreak.
Labcorp is working with US health regulators to potentially increase its mpox testing capabilities in response to a new viral strain detected outside of Africa. The company currently processes around 500 tests monthly but can ramp up to 25,000 if necessary. This comes as global health authorities are concerned about the spread of the clade Ib variant, previously found in Central Africa, which has been identified in countries like Sweden and Thailand.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals has partnered with Bilthoven Biologicals to advance its mpox vaccine candidate, TNX-801. This collaboration aims to develop a safe and effective vaccine to combat the growing threat of mpox, especially in light of the recent WHO public health emergency declaration.
