In 2022, the world faced an outbreak of the MPOX virus. Following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits, virologists, and global health organizations swiftly mobilized to prevent another large-scale crisis. Our donors and our charity partners also mobilized to deploy rapid response efforts. Thanks to the efforts of leading experts, the spread of the virus was effectively contained. As climate change and other factors continue to heighten the risk of infectious disease outbreaks, the response to the MPOX virus serves as a valuable blueprint for managing future public health threats.
What Is MPOX?
MPOX is an infectious disease affecting humans and some animals, first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formerly Zaire. MPOX spreads through close skin-to-skin contact. Early signs include fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen glands. Soon after, a rash develops that turns into small, crusted spots, mostly on the face and extremities. The illness typically starts 5–21 days after exposure and lasts 2–6 weeks, with more serious cases in young children, pregnant women, or those with weakened immune systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), MPOX is closely related to smallpox, and smallpox vaccines can provide protection against the virus. The disease has a case fatality rate of approximately 3-6%.
The 2022 Outbreak and Containment
The MPOX outbreak began in May 2022, with the first case reported in the United Kingdom after an individual returned from Africa. The virus quickly spread across Europe, the United States, Africa, and Latin America throughout the month. Nigeria reported the first confirmed MPOX-related death at the end of May. Over the following months, the WHO and global health organizations collaborated with countries to secure vaccines and prepare for further spread. On June 13, 2022, the number of daily cases peaked at 780 across 27 countries.
On July 22, 2022, MPOX was declared a global health emergency. Governments and leaders worked to develop vaccination programs, disease awareness programs, and contain the outbreak, focusing on high-risk cities. In the United States in particular, the LGBTQ community, which was most affected by the MPOX outbreak, launched extensive campaigns to promote awareness and encourage vaccination. These efforts successfully reduced transmission, with a 21% decrease in new cases by August and throughout the Fall. By January 2023, the outbreak was fully contained.
Our partners in the field were among the leaders driving forward containment initiatives. They were pivotal in decreasing the spread of the disease.
International Medical Corps – Responding to MPOX in the DRC
For over 25 years, International Medical Corps has been a frontline responder to public health crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), tackling outbreaks of Ebola, measles, polio, COVID-19, and most recently, MPOX. When an MPOX epidemic rapidly spread across North and South Kivu in 2022, health systems were unprepared, leading to uncontrolled transmission. The crisis worsened in 2024 with the emergence of an even deadlier strain.
With support from CAF America donors, International Medical Corps implemented infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols in more than 200 health centers, training thousands of frontline health workers to safely isolate patients and continue providing essential healthcare services. In the past four months alone, they have trained 513 community health workers on MPOX prevention and distributed critical protective supplies — including gloves, masks, and sanitizers — to 73 hard-hit health facilities.
By strengthening local health systems, providing targeted training, and equipping frontline workers, International Medical Corps is playing a vital role in containing MPOX and preparing communities for future outbreaks.
A Blueprint for Fighting the Next Pandemic?
The successful containment of MPOX was largely due to the rapid rollout of vaccines and treatments, supported by proactive public awareness campaigns that engaged trusted figures in local communities and the LGBTQ community, which was significantly affected by the outbreak. Our donors and partners played a critical role, as funding these response programs enabled organizations and local communities to distribute medical supplies and vaccinations to the hardest-hit areas. The vaccines were highly effective, thanks to the disease’s close relation to smallpox, which allowed scientists to swiftly develop and deploy a reliable MPOX vaccine. This success was made possible by the collaboration of key stakeholders — from donors and the public and nonprofit sectors to medical and local communities — working together to prevent another pandemic. As we look towards the future, we can learn lessons from the successful MPOX response to address future global health challenges.
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