8 October 2024 – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called on nations worldwide to avoid implementing travel bans or movement restrictions in response to the ongoing Mpox and Marburg virus outbreaks. The agency argues that such measures contradict international health guidelines and could hinder public health efforts, exacerbate economic difficulties, and rekindle the disparities and mistrust that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly between the Global North and South.
According to the International Health Regulations (2005), travel restrictions should only be considered when there is compelling evidence to warrant them. Historically, these measures have been shown to be counterproductive, delaying response efforts, increasing public anxiety, and disrupting global mobility. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC advocate for enhanced surveillance, early detection, effective case management, targeted vaccination, and community engagement as the most efficient methods for managing outbreaks.
The Africa CDC commends the swift action and transparency demonstrated by African nations currently facing Mpox and Marburg outbreaks. These countries are taking significant steps and require support to improve their surveillance systems, enhance case management protocols, and expand contact tracing initiatives. In collaboration with global and regional partners, Africa CDC has deployed expert teams to the most affected areas, ensuring timely access to medical countermeasures (MCMs), including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
Furthermore, the Africa CDC emphasizes the urgent need for global partners to support Africa’s self-reliance in manufacturing MCMs. Despite the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa continues to depend on external donations for essential health resources, which is deemed unacceptable. The African Union (AU) has initiated important measures to tackle this dependency by directing the Africa CDC to broaden its focus from vaccines to all MCMs and establishing the African Pool Procurement Mechanism to facilitate equitable access to affordable, high-quality medical products across the continent.
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