Mpox cases are on the rise across Africa, with fifteen countries reporting active outbreaks, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Measures to control the outbreak are being hindered by inadequate vaccine supplies and resources. U.S. President Biden has pledged financial support and vaccine donations to assist African nations in their response efforts.
The mpox outbreak in Africa is intensifying, prompting urgent responses from health professionals and governmental leaders. Currently, fifteen African nations are experiencing active outbreaks, with Morocco being the latest to report a case. The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that while the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi account for nearly 90 percent of the confirmed cases, the virus is also spreading to other regions, particularly in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of Congo, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Gabon, Rwanda, South Africa, and Guinea. Samuel Boland, the mpox incident manager at the WHO’s regional office for Africa, underlined the seriousness of the situation, indicating that there have been 6,580 confirmed cases this year alone. However, the number of suspected cases—those that are clinically consistent with mpox but may not have undergone testing—has surged to almost 32,000, resulting in 844 fatalities among suspects and 32 deaths among confirmed cases this year. Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, acknowledged that the situation is not yet under control, emphasizing that vaccine supplies are insufficient. He noted that while there are commitments for around 4 million vaccine doses, the need is much greater. U.S. President Joe Biden recently highlighted the necessity for swift international action against the mpox outbreak in Africa. In an address during the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024, he pledged $500 million to assist African nations in combating mpox and announced plans to donate one million vaccine doses. Although specific delivery dates for the vaccines remain unspecified, President Biden affirmed that support will flow through both bilateral and multilateral channels. Mr. Boland further emphasized that addressing this mpox outbreak calls for comprehensive public health interventions, including strengthened surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing, community engagement, and vaccination efforts.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease primarily spread through close contact between individuals. The current outbreak in Africa highlights a regional health crisis, with significant increases in both confirmed and suspected cases reported. As health authorities attempt to contain the outbreak, the disease presents challenges due to its transmission dynamics and the need for adequate healthcare resources. Furthermore, vaccine availability has become a focal point in the discussions surrounding mitigation strategies.
In summary, the mpox outbreak in Africa poses a significant public health challenge, with rising cases and a need for immediate intervention. The WHO and health leaders are advocating for increased vaccination efforts and comprehensive public health strategies to curb the spread of the virus. The international community, led by the United States, is being called upon to enhance support for affected countries to strengthen their response capabilities.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
