Africa Declares Mpox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency Amid Surge in Cases
Science/Medical/Technology
Wednesday 14th, August 2024
Africa's leading health authority, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has declared an outbreak of mpox a public health emergency across the continent. The declaration follows a worrying surge in cases, with over 15,000 infections and 461 deaths reported so far this year. This represents a 160% increase in cases and a 19% rise in deaths compared to the same period in 2023.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has traditionally been endemic in parts of Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where the majority of cases have been recorded. The virus has now spread to 18 countries across the continent, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria.
The disease primarily affects children, with nearly 70% of cases in DR Congo occurring in those under 15 years old. Alarmingly, 85% of the recorded deaths have been among this age group. Mpox causes symptoms similar to influenza, along with the development of pus-filled lesions. While many cases are mild, the disease can be fatal, particularly in younger individuals and those with compromised immune systems.
A new variant of the virus, known as Clade 1b, has emerged as a significant concern. This strain, which is believed to spread more easily through close contact, particularly among children, is fuelling the current outbreak. Jean Claude Udahemuka, a scientist from the University of Rwanda, described Clade 1b as "undoubtedly the most dangerous so far of all the known strains of mpox."
In response to the crisis, Jean Kaseya, the head of Africa CDC, issued a stark warning, "We declare today this public health emergency of continental security to mobilise our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act swiftly and decisively". He highlighted the urgent need for vaccines, stating that the continent requires more than 10 million doses. However, only about 200,000 doses are currently available.
Kaseya outlined plans to secure more than 10 million doses for Africa, with an initial target of acquiring three million doses in 2024. He did not specify the sources for these vaccines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a report identifying nine African countries where mpox cases had been detected in the past month, including DR Congo, Uganda, and South Africa. The WHO has a history of monitoring mpox, which was first identified in humans in DR Congo in 1970.
Mpox garnered global attention in 2022 when a milder version of the virus spread to over 100 countries, primarily through sexual contact. This led the WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern, its highest alert level. The WHO ended the global health emergency 10 months later, citing that the situation had come under control.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has traditionally been endemic in parts of Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where the majority of cases have been recorded. The virus has now spread to 18 countries across the continent, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria.
The disease primarily affects children, with nearly 70% of cases in DR Congo occurring in those under 15 years old. Alarmingly, 85% of the recorded deaths have been among this age group. Mpox causes symptoms similar to influenza, along with the development of pus-filled lesions. While many cases are mild, the disease can be fatal, particularly in younger individuals and those with compromised immune systems.
A new variant of the virus, known as Clade 1b, has emerged as a significant concern. This strain, which is believed to spread more easily through close contact, particularly among children, is fuelling the current outbreak. Jean Claude Udahemuka, a scientist from the University of Rwanda, described Clade 1b as "undoubtedly the most dangerous so far of all the known strains of mpox."
In response to the crisis, Jean Kaseya, the head of Africa CDC, issued a stark warning, "We declare today this public health emergency of continental security to mobilise our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act swiftly and decisively". He highlighted the urgent need for vaccines, stating that the continent requires more than 10 million doses. However, only about 200,000 doses are currently available.
Kaseya outlined plans to secure more than 10 million doses for Africa, with an initial target of acquiring three million doses in 2024. He did not specify the sources for these vaccines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a report identifying nine African countries where mpox cases had been detected in the past month, including DR Congo, Uganda, and South Africa. The WHO has a history of monitoring mpox, which was first identified in humans in DR Congo in 1970.
Mpox garnered global attention in 2022 when a milder version of the virus spread to over 100 countries, primarily through sexual contact. This led the WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern, its highest alert level. The WHO ended the global health emergency 10 months later, citing that the situation had come under control.
