Mpox continues to spread across Africa, with fifteen countries still facing active outbreaks, predominantly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. With over 6,580 confirmed cases and nearly 32,000 suspected cases in 2023, public health officials stress the urgent need for increased vaccine supplies and comprehensive interventions to combat the disease.
The mpox outbreak in Africa persists, prompting urgent calls for enhanced containment efforts. Currently, fifteen African nations are grappling with active outbreaks, with Morocco recently confirming its first case. According to Samuel Boland, mpox incident manager at the World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi are particularly affected, accounting for nearly 90 percent of reported cases. Other nations, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, and South Africa, are also witnessing rising instances of infection. The WHO has identified two distinct strains of the virus: Clade I, formerly known as the Congo Basin clade, and Clade II, the West African clade. Mpox, which was formerly referred to as monkeypox, is transmissible through close personal contact and, less frequently, through contaminated objects. Symptoms of the disease manifest as fever, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. This year alone, there have been 6,580 confirmed cases, although estimates suggest that there are approximately 32,000 suspected cases that remain untested. Tragically, reported fatalities include 844 individuals among the suspected cases and an additional 32 deaths among the confirmed cases. During a recent virtual briefing, Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, remarked that the situation remains uncontrolled. Although vaccine donations are being received, they are deemed insufficient for effective outbreak management, with only 4 million doses committed thus far. On September 24, 2024, United States President Joe Biden underscored the necessity for a prompt international response to the mpox outbreak in Africa during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. He announced a commitment of $500 million to aid African nations in combating mpox, in addition to a pledge to donate one million doses of vaccine. Moreover, Mr. Boland indicated that comprehensive public health interventions are critical, which may include increasing surveillance, conducting case investigations and contact tracing, and fostering community engagement to report health issues promptly. Infection prevention, control measures, effective case management, and vaccination remain paramount in addressing the outbreak.
The resurgence of mpox in Africa has become a significant public health concern, prompting international organizations and governments to take action. The disease, previously known as monkeypox, has evolved into a serious outbreak affecting multiple countries across the continent. Experts are closely monitoring the situation given the rapid increase in confirmed and suspected cases.
The rising cases of mpox in Africa necessitate urgent and robust public health interventions. With significant outbreaks concentrated in certain countries and alarming fatalities reported, it is imperative that international support, including vaccinations and strategic health measures, is provided to effectively manage and contain the situation.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
