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

Frankline Sevidzem Wirsiy 1, 2, * and Jean-Claude Kindzeka Wirsiy 2, 3

1 Department of Epidemiology | College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), 984395 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4395, United States.
2 Global Action for Public Health Services [GAPS], Douala, Cameroon.
3 Biomedical Sciences and Health Program, Faculty of Interdisciplinary at Saint John, University of New Brunswick, Canada.
 
Short Communication
Open Access Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2022, 04(02), 046–049.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjms.2022.4.2.0103
Publication history: 
Received on 05 October 2022; revised on 17 November 2022; accepted on 19 November 2022
 
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.
 
Keywords: 
Monkeypox; DEENIP; Global Health Security; Public Health research; Africa
 
Full text article in PDF: