Over 50,000 individuals have been vaccinated against mpox in DR Congo and Rwanda as part of an ongoing response to the outbreak, where over 1,100 deaths have been recorded. The WHO has facilitated resource allocation to combat the disease, highlighting the urgency of public health measures.
On Friday, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that over 50,000 individuals have received vaccinations against mpox, previously termed monkeypox, across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda. Despite the vaccination efforts, the situation remains dire, with more than 1,100 recorded deaths attributed to mpox infections in Africa, and a total of approximately 48,000 cases documented since January of this year, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). While DR Congo is identified as the outbreak’s epicenter, it commenced a vaccination campaign last month. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that the current vaccination achievement is a result of generous contributions from the United States and the European Commission. Furthermore, nearly 900,000 vaccine doses have recently been allocated to nine countries under a collaborative framework established by the WHO and its partners. Dr. Ghebreyesus indicated that this is the initial distribution of nearly six million doses anticipated to be available by the end of 2024 through the Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM). Mpox, which is related to smallpox, is primarily transmitted to humans from infected animals and can also spread among humans through close physical contact. The disease manifests with symptoms such as fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that can develop into blisters. The African Union’s health monitoring body has called attention to the ongoing outbreak and outlined the necessity for additional resources to prevent a pandemic potentially more severe than that of COVID-19.
The mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox, has emerged as a significant health concern in parts of Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been heavily affected by the outbreak. As the population faces health challenges stemming from this infectious disease, vaccination programs have become crucial in mitigating the spread and impact of mpox. The WHO’s involvement highlights international support in addressing public health emergencies, particularly in low-resource settings. Furthermore, recognizing the potential severity of mpox, especially in comparison to COVID-19, underscores the urgency of global health cooperation and resource allocation in vaccine distribution and outbreak management.
In summary, the global response to the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda illustrates a concerted effort to control the spread of the virus through vaccination initiatives. With over 50,000 people vaccinated and additional resources mobilized, the situation underscores the importance of international collaboration in public health crises. Nonetheless, the ongoing risks and mortality rates associated with mpox call for sustained vigilance and investment in health infrastructure to prevent a worsening of the current epidemic.
Original Source: www.france24.com
