Since the 2022 global outbreak of Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), the epidemiological landscape has continued to evolve. While the initial outbreaks centered on clade IIb in non-endemic countries, 2024 has seen a resurgence of Mpox in parts of Africa, particularly clade I variants, and concerning cross-border transmissions. In August 2024, WHO declared a second Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in response to the rising epidemic risk posed by MPXV.
The WHO Mpox clinical and infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines newly published in June 2025, provide critical evidence-based recommendations for frontline responders and health and care workers globally. These include improved recommendations on supportive care, home-based management, protective measures for healthcare workers, and special considerations for populations with HIV, breastfeeding infants, and those at risk of complications.
Up-to-date clinical guidelines from WHO help healthcare providers to deliver safe and effective care, rooted in the best evidence and applicable across diverse health systems. Recommendations aim to prevent mpox transmission, improve outcomes, and reduce disease complications. They focus on protecting patients and frontline workers—especially in low-resource and high-burden settings – and address increasing challenges such as co-infections, care of vulnerable populations, and provision of care at home where appropriate.
This webinar will describe the latest evidence-based clinical and infection prevention and control (IPC) recommendations, explain the rationale behind key changes, and provide practical guidance for implementing mpox care in both hospital and community settings. It also creates an opportunity for dialogue, allowing participants to ask questions, share experiences, and gain clarity on managing Mpox across different contexts—including resource-limited settings. Ultimately, the webinar aims to ensure that updated guidance reaches those on the frontlines quickly and effectively, helping to improve patient outcomes, reduce transmission, and strengthen global Mpox response efforts.
Objective
To enable participants to gain knowledge on the latest recommendations and best practice statements from WHO around the following topics;
- Mpox and breastfeeding (both for mothers who have continued breastfeeding during Mpox and when to resume breastfeeding for mothers who have temporarily stopped breastfeeding due to lesions),
- ART/HIV and Mpox,
- IPC in healthcare settings and home care precautions for carers, looking after mild Mpox cases,
- Promote awareness of the newly published evidence-based guideline for Infection prevention and control for mpox disease, discuss the updated recommendations and IPC practices and challenges in affected countries.
Speakers
Opening Remarks including 05 Jul EC meeting update: Nedret Emiroglu, Director, Emergency Core Capabilities, WHO
Update on global epi Focus on Africa - Interaction with HIV and severity/mortality: Olivier le Polain, Unit Head, EAR (Epidemiology and Analytics for Response), WHO
Introduction - Overview of IPC guideline development process: April Baller, Team Lead IPC and WASH, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Highlights of the new IPC recommendations: Tochi Okwor, Chair of Infection prevention and control Guideline development group for mpox
Current IPC practices and challanges: Andy Bulabula, IPC Unit Lead, Africa CDC
IPC Q&A: Moderator: April Baller, Team Lead IPC and WASH, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Patient sharing experience of Mpox and HIV from Sierra Leone - Moderator: Jamie Rylance, IPC and WASH, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Recommendation for initiation of antiretroviral treatment in people with HIV
Recommendation for mothers with mpox to continue breastfeeding whilst limiting direct contact with their non-infected infant until lesions are fully resolved and recommendation for mothers who recover from mpox infection and who have withheld breastfeeding and direct contact with their infant: Grace Ndeezi, Makerere University, Specialist group on breastfeeding, underpinning the work of the GDG
Q&A: Moderator: Jamie Rylance, IPC and WASH, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Next steps/Closure: Janet Diaz, Safe and Scalable Care, Unit Head, WHO