The WHO reports that over 50,000 people have been vaccinated against mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The outbreak has resulted in 1,100 deaths in Africa, prompting warnings of a potential pandemic worse than Covid-19 from health officials. Nearly 900,000 additional vaccine doses are being distributed through a global health initiative.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced on Friday that over 50,000 individuals have been vaccinated against mpox—formerly referred to as monkeypox—in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. This vaccination effort takes place in the context of a concerning outbreak in Africa, which has resulted in more than 1,100 fatalities and nearly 48,000 recorded cases since January. The African Union’s health authority has raised alarms regarding the potential for a pandemic that could surpass the severity of Covid-19, calling for increased resources to manage the crisis effectively. Dr. Ghebreyesus credited the vaccination progress to generous donations from the United States and the European Commission. He also indicated that nearly 900,000 vaccine doses have been allocated to nine countries as part of a broader initiative—the Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM)—established by the WHO in conjunction with other agencies. This initial distribution is part of a larger plan to provide approximately six million doses by the end of 2024. Mpox is a viral disease spread to humans from infected animals and can also be transmitted from person to person through close contact. It presents symptoms such as fever, bodily discomfort, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that develops into blisters.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease closely related to smallpox, recognized for its symptoms that include fever and a distinctive rash. The current outbreak primarily affects the Democratic Republic of Congo, which serves as the epicenter, where vaccination efforts have recently been intensified. The World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of vaccinations, especially as deaths continue to rise and the potential for a more serious health crisis looms.
In summary, over 50,000 individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have received vaccinations against mpox amid a significant outbreak that has resulted in more than 1,100 deaths across Africa. The WHO is facilitating vaccine distribution and reinforcing the need for concerted efforts to control this public health threat, highlighting the critical nature of ongoing support and resource mobilization.
Original Source: www.france24.com
