In response to the international public health emergency declared due to the Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and recent reports of the virus in Ethiopia, a specialized training was conducted in Addis Ababa to enhance the skills of health professionals. Organized by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio State Global One Health initiative, the training aimed to strengthen case management, specimen handling, infection prevention and control (IPC) and laboratory biosafety to effectively manage and contain the outbreak within Ethiopia.
Thirty-nine health professionals from various hospitals and health centers, the Addis Ababa Regional Health Bureau and Regional Laboratory and the EPHI participated in the two-day training session in late July. A multidisciplinary team of IPC specialists, epidemiologists, public health experts and laboratory specialists with expertise in outbreak prevention and capacity building conducted the training.
Key topics covered included Mpox epidemiology, surveillance, clinical case management, IPC practices including use of personal protective equipment, specimen collection and transport and laboratory biosafety measures. The training employed expert presentations, case-based scenarios, group discussions, practical demonstrations and video materials to enhance learning.
Participants reported improved practical skills and technical knowledge, better coordination among stakeholders and stronger collaboration between partners and government agencies for Mpox response.
The training laid the foundation for a more coordinated and effective local response and strengthens Ethiopia’s contribution to the global effort to prevent and control the spread of Mpox.