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Monkeypox monitoring
Delivering accurate data to empower informed responses to the Monkeypox outbreak
As Monkeypox outbreaks continue to pose a public health challenge across Africa, timely and accurate data collection is crucial. HERA’s Monkeypox Data Project aims to support public health authorities and humanitarian organizations in understanding the epidemiological landscape, monitoring outbreaks, and implementing effective response strategies.
WHAT WE DO
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The emergence of Monkeypox as a global health concern has underscored the critical need for comprehensive and accessible data, particularly in Africa where the disease has seen significant outbreaks. The first recorded case of Monkeypox occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970. Since then, the virus has primarily been endemic in central and western Africa, but recent years have seen a troubling spread beyond these regions. The spread of Monkeypox, exacerbated by factors such as human encroachment into wildlife habitats and increasing global mobility, highlights the need for robust data collection and analysis.
HERA’s Monkeypox monitoring, launched in 2024, aims to bridge the data gap by collecting detailed subnational and national data on Monkeypox across Africa. The project's primary objective is to make Monkeypox-related data more accessible to governments, non-governmental organizations, and researchers, facilitating a coordinated and effective response to outbreaks.
In partnership with regional health organizations and the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) of UNOCHA, HERA supports stakeholders in tracking and predicting the spread of Monkeypox. By providing comprehensive datasets, the project aids in identifying vulnerable populations and assessing the impact of the virus, enabling more targeted public health interventions.
HERA believes that reliable and timely data is essential for empowering local actors to respond effectively to health crises. By engaging international organizations, researchers, and national governments in the evaluation of Monkeypox's impact, the project seeks to inform and improve public health policies and decision-making processes, ensuring no community is left behind.