Mpox cases are escalating across multiple African countries, with 15 nations reported to have active outbreaks. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi lead in confirmed cases, accounting for close to 90 percent. The WHO identified two clades of the virus, with a pronounced need for enhanced surveillance, vaccination, and community engagement strategies. Significant financial pledges have been made to mitigate the impact of this viral outbreak, yet experts indicate that more support is crucial to control the situation effectively.
As the number of mpox cases continues to increase across Africa, public health experts and international leaders are ringing alarm bells, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced containment measures amid the viral outbreak. Currently, fifteen countries on the continent are recognized as having active outbreaks, with Morocco being the latest to report its first case. Samuel Boland, the mpox incident manager for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional office for Africa, highlighted that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi account for nearly 90 percent of confirmed cases, although cases are now emerging in various other nations, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of Congo, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Gabon, Rwanda, South Africa, and Guinea. The WHO has identified two distinct strains, known as clades I and II, which were previously termed the Congo Basin and West African clades, respectively. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads primarily through close contact and occasionally through contaminated objects or surfaces. Symptoms typically include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. So far this year, there have been 6,580 confirmed cases, with a staggering number of suspected cases nearing 32,000—those diagnosed clinically as compatible with mpox notwithstanding the absence of confirmation due to testing limitations in several regions. Tragically, within this group of suspected cases, 844 individuals have lost their lives, while the confirmed cases have recorded 32 fatalities since January. In a recent virtual briefing, Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, declared that mpox remains uncontrolled within the continent. While vaccine donations are beginning to arrive, the quantities fall short of what is necessary to manage the outbreak effectively. Kaseya stated, “Today, we have almost around 4 million commitments of doses, but we say we need more.” During a recent address to global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024, President Joe Biden underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are prepared to commit $500 million to help African countries prevent and respond to mpox and to donate 1 million doses of mpox vaccine now.” Although a timeline for vaccine delivery was not provided, Biden assured that the contributions will be administered both bilaterally and through collaborative international organizations. Furthermore, Boland emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive public health response to address this mpox outbreak, which encompasses strengthening surveillance efforts, conducting case investigations, engaging with communities, and encouraging the reporting of illnesses. Key components of this strategy also include advancing infection prevention and control, case management, and vaccination initiatives.
Mpox, formerly referred to as monkeypox, is a zoonotic viral disease that has been a public health concern particularly in Africa. Recent years have witnessed a surge in infections, prompting global health authorities to address and mitigate the risk of outbreaks. The disease transmission occurs via direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Hence, targeted interventions and healthcare responses are critical to managing and preventing the further spread of the virus, especially in regions with limited healthcare resources.
In summary, the rising cases of mpox in Africa highlight a critical public health challenge requiring immediate action from both local and international communities. With a significant number of suspected cases and fatalities, health officials call for increased vaccine availability and comprehensive public health measures to stem the outbreak. The commitment from global leaders, particularly through the financial and logistical support pledged by the U.S., could prove vital in addressing this urgent health crisis.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
