The WHO announced that over 50,000 people in the DRC and Rwanda have been vaccinated against mpox, as the death toll from the disease exceeds 1,100 in Africa. The situation remains critical, prompting calls for resources to prevent a potential pandemic more severe than Covid-19. Significant support from international partners has facilitated this vaccination effort, with additional vaccine allocations expected soon.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday that over 50,000 individuals have received vaccinations against mpox, previously known as monkeypox, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The African continent has experienced significant mortality associated with this virus, with more than 1,100 deaths reported and approximately 48,000 cases since the beginning of the year. The outbreak remains a critical public health issue, as the African Union’s health authorities have cautioned that this situation could escalate into a pandemic of a severity surpassing that of Covid-19. The vaccination initiative in the DRC and Rwanda has been bolstered by contributions from the United States and the European Commission. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “So far, more than 50,000 people have been vaccinated against mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, thanks to donations from the United States and the European Commission.” As a part of its global health strategy, the WHO has facilitated the distribution of nearly 900,000 vaccine doses to nine countries through its Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM). This distribution marks the initial allocation from a total expected pool of almost six million vaccine doses anticipated by the end of 2024. Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can be contracted from zoonotic sources and transmitted among humans through close contact, resulting in symptoms such as fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and rash, which eventually leads to blistering.
The mpox outbreak, previously termed monkeypox, has emerged as a significant public health concern in Africa, particularly in the DRC, which serves as the epicenter of transmission. The disease, which can be severe and occasionally fatal, is related to the smallpox virus and highlights the vulnerabilities within health infrastructure in affected countries. The WHO’s proactive measures in vaccinating large populations are crucial in mitigating further spread and addressing the health crisis. The alarming death toll and the potential for a more severe pandemic emphasize the urgent need for resources and international cooperation to combat this virus effectively.
The vaccination campaign against mpox in the DRC and Rwanda represents a significant step in addressing the outbreak that has claimed over 1,100 lives in Africa. As more than 50,000 individuals have been vaccinated, the support from international entities like the United States and European Commission plays an essential role in public health efforts. The WHO’s commitment to distributing additional vaccine doses underscores the urgency of controlling this virus, which poses a real threat to public health in the region.
Original Source: www.france24.com
