Mpox declared public health emergency in Africa
Mpox, the infectious disease previously called monkeypox, has been declared a public health emergency in Africa by the continent’s health watchdog. Scientists warn that the disease could spiral out of control if immediate steps are not taken to contain it.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Union’s top health body, has declared a public health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak on the continent.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 13,700 cases and 450 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. From there it has spread to other African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda and the Central African Republic. The declaration of a public health emergency is intended to encourage governments to coordinate their response.
"We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat"
"This declaration is not merely a formality. It is a clarion call to action," said Africa CDC president Jean Kaseya. "It is a recognition that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat."
Mpox spreads from animals to humans and between humans through close contact, including sex and talking or breathing close to a person. Symptoms include rashes, flu-like symptoms and lesions. If untreated it can be deadly.
There are two main strains of the virus known to exist. The milder one affected more than 100 countries, including in Europe, in 2022 and spread through sexual contact. The second, more deadly strain has been discovered recently in Democratic Republic of the Congo and is considered the most dangerous one.
The CDC has classified the risk of the strain spreading to Europe or the US low. However, the agency continues to recommend mpox vaccination for people who are exposed to or at high risk of catching the virus.
A doctor checks on a patient with sores caused by an mpox infection © PHOTO ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP
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