CAMP 2.0 An Ongoing Community-based Interdisciplinary Model for Mpox pandemic Preparedness

The Canada-Africa Mpox Partnership (CAMP) initiative was launched in 2022 in response to the global crisis triggered by the spread of clade II in Canada and Nigeria. CAMP is a collaborative, bi-national, and interdisciplinary research network that has been working together since its inception to develop new translational knowledge and resources related to Mpox. The goal is to ensure that this information is driven by, and shared with, community partners and public health decision-makers promptly. Additionally, the initiative focuses on continuously improving public health tools and emergency response methodologies through interdisciplinary research and innovation. The second wave of the Mpox outbreak in endemic and non-endemic countries in August 2024 presents another critical opportunity to address knowledge gaps and build capacity for pandemic preparedness, particularly in the areas of detection and risk estimation of Mpox clade 1. Nigeria has had 108 confirmed cases from 27 states and FCT as at 20 October 2024 (NCDC cumulative summary, weeks 1-42,2024). The ongoing CAMP study in Nigeria and Canada provides a solid platform to expand research efforts on Clade 1 and safeguard the vital public health infrastructure developed for pandemics and emergencies.