Mpox cases are increasing across Africa, with 15 countries currently facing outbreaks, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. The World Health Organization reports over 6,580 confirmed cases and nearly 32,000 suspected cases this year. Global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, are pledging financial support and vaccine donations, urging rapid action to contain the outbreak. Public health experts emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies including surveillance, community engagement, and vaccination campaigns.
As mpox cases escalate across Africa, urgent calls for enhanced measures to address the viral outbreak are echoing among public health experts and international leaders. Currently, 15 African nations are experiencing active outbreaks, with Morocco emerging as the latest country to report a case. Notably, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi are responsible for nearly 90% of confirmed mpox cases, but other nations, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of Congo, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Gabon, Rwanda, South Africa, and Guinea, are also witnessing increasing incidents. According to Samuel Boland, the mpox incident manager at the World Health Organization’s regional office for Africa, two clades have been identified in this outbreak: Clade I, previously recognized as the Congo Basin clade, and Clade II, previously dubbed West African clade. The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, is transmissible through close contact and, on occasion, via surfaces and objects that have been in contact with infected individuals. Symptoms typically include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. As reported, there are currently 6,580 confirmed mpox cases in Africa this year; however, there is a substantial number of suspected cases, totaling nearly 32,000. Among the suspected cases, 844 individuals have died, while 32 confirmed deaths have been attributed to this year’s outbreak. During a recent virtual briefing, Jean Kaseya, the director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, underscored that the outbreak is not under control. Though vaccine donations are gradually arriving, they fall short of what is required. “Today, we have almost around 4 million commitments of doses, but we say we need more,” stated Kaseya. Further emphasizing the need for rapid intervention, U.S. President Joe Biden, during an address on September 24, 2024, to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, reiterated the imperative to swiftly address the mpox outbreak in Africa. He pledged a commitment of $500 million to bolster prevention and response measures and promised the donation of 1 million doses of mpox vaccine, although no specific timeline for delivery was provided. In tandem with vaccine deployment, Samuel Boland noted the necessity of comprehensive public health interventions, such as enhanced surveillance including case investigations and contact tracing. He advocated for community engagement to facilitate the reporting of illness and stressed the importance of infection prevention, control measures, and effective case management, coupled with vaccination initiatives.
Mpox, previously termed monkeypox, is a viral infection that has seen a resurgence in Africa, prompting concern from health officials and governments. Public health experts highlight that the outbreak is primarily centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, but its reach is spreading to other nations, reflecting a need for immediate action across the continent to prevent further cases and control the situation. With varying levels of healthcare infrastructure and pandemic preparedness, many countries face challenges in both testing suspected cases and administering vaccinations. The situation has attracted notable international attention, with commitments for support and resources from global leaders.
In conclusion, the rising cases of mpox in Africa necessitate immediate and coordinated global efforts to contain the outbreak. Leaders and health professionals are calling for enhanced surveillance, community engagement, and increased vaccine availability to manage this health crisis effectively. The ongoing commitment from international partners, alongside strategic public health initiatives, will be crucial to controlling the spread of mpox and mitigating its impact on African populations.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
