Mpox Resource Hub | Nutrition Response

Mpox Resource Hub: Comprehensive Information and Updates

What is Mpox?

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. There are two distinct clades of the virus: clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb). For detailed information, refer to the WHO Mpox Fact Sheet.

General Infection Prevention and Control Guidance 

• WHO Clinical management and infection prevention and control for monkeypox (2022):

  • Refer to section 4.3.1. on page 13 for clinical considerations around pain and nutrition: useful from the point of view of maternal health and nutrition, as well as for children from 6 to 59 months.

  • Refer to section 8.3 on page 27 for recommendations on caring for infant and young children with Mpox.

  • Refer to section 8.4 on page 28 for recommendations on  infant feeding for  mothers infected with Mpox. 

• WHO Mpox Q&A: Access comprehensive answers to common questions about Mpox.

• Global WASH Cluster Resources: Explore additional resources related to Mpox in humanitarian WASH response.

Key Resources with Focus on Pregnancy and Breastfeeding 

More resources will be added here as key questions are being considered by the IFE Core Group that will further refine recommendations for the nutritional care of infants and young children and the protection of breastfeeding. 

Please note that Atlanta-CDC released recent clinical recommendations with a pregnancy and breastfeeding focus and it’s worth noting these were developed for the United States domestic use. 

• Save the Children International internal Stop Gap Guidance version 1: This reference is designed as temporary support for frontline health workers on clinical considerations for Infant and Young Child Feeding in emergencies in the clinical management of Mpox. It should be noted this guidance mainly focuses on breastfeeding considerations and does not include recommendations beyond this related to complementary feeding or the clinical management of Mpox in mothers or their children. It's available in English and French:

  • Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Clinical Reference for Mpox

  • L’Alimentation Du Nourrisson Et Du Jeune Enfant Dans Les Situations D’Urgence Référence Clinique Pour La Variole Du Singe (Mpox)

• Mpox Virus Transmissibility by Breastfeeding: Check this post by en-net for considerations about Mpox virus transmissibility through breastfeeding.

NOTE: Agency-specific guidance are the responsibility of the publishing agency and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IFE Core Group and/or GNC.

Other Useful Links 

• Global Trends in Mpox Outbreaks from the World Health Organization (WHO).   

• Preparedness and response plans:

  • WHO Global Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.

Open Courses

• OpenWHO courses on Mpox : Enhance your knowledge about mpox with this free course, available in English, Français, Spanish, Русский,  العربية, português and 中文.