Monkeypox public health research priorities for Africa: A DEENIP paradigm for strengthening global health security

Abstract

While clinically less severe than smallpox, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis with symptoms that are comparable to those of smallpox. The 2022 multi-country monkeypox outbreak which is an international public health emergency has raised challenging issues for research. For instance, even though monkeypox can be prevented, detected, and treated with the use of vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics, further studies are required to help establish the appropriate use of these medical products. There are further concerns regarding the length of illness and the reasons why some people get sicker than others. Priorities for monkeypox public health research in Africa are to raise awareness of studies that could be conducted whose conclusions, when they are made, will significantly improve global health security. We present 6 key Monkeypox Public Health research priorities for Africa from a DEENIP paradigm for strengthening global health security. The DEENIP priorities as an organizing framework are D= D: Diagnostic tools and surveillance, E =Epidemiological, clinical and immunological traits, E= Equitable, effective, and safety distribution of vaccines including therapeutics, N= New and innovative methods for assessing medical countermeasures, I=Improve equity and reduce stigma during public health emergency, P = Public health communication strategies.