Africa CDC Declare Mpox Outbreak A Public Health Emergency
Africa is facing a serious public health crisis as a new, more aggressive, variant of mpox spreads rapidly across the continent.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared a "public health emergency of continental security," citing the alarming rate at which the virus has been spreading, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries.
What is mpox?
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and painful, pus-filled lesions. While most cases are mild, the disease can be deadly, especially if left untreated.
The virus is transmitted from animals to humans and can spread between people through close contact, including skin-to-skin contact and respiratory droplets.
This year alone, over 15,000 cases and 461 deaths have been reported across Africa, marking a 160% increase from the same period last year.
The outbreak, which began in the DRC, has now spread to Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Rwanda, and other countries.
What caused the outbreak?
The current outbreak is driven by a new variant of the virus, known as Clade Ib. Unlike the milder strain that caused a global outbreak in 2022, this variant appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, particularly among children.
The situation has become so concerning that Africa CDC's scientists are closely monitoring the virus's spread, warning that the rate of infection is "alarming."
Mpox has been endemic in parts of Africa since it was first detected in humans in the DRC in 1970. However, the emergence of the new Clade Ib variant is raising fresh concerns.
How will the declaration of a public health emergency help?
The declaration of a public health emergency is intended to help African governments coordinate their responses and ensure that medical supplies and aid reach affected areas more quickly.
Health authorities outside of Africa are also paying close attention to the outbreak, assessing the risk of the virus spreading further.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recently stated that the risk from mpox in Europe is "very low," but the situation in Africa is much more dire.
How are they responding to the outbreak?
In response to the crisis, there is a push to increase the availability of vaccines. Currently, there are three vaccines available, but they are primarily reserved for people at high risk or those who have been in close contact with an infected person. Given the rapid spread of the virus, there is an urgent need to expand access to these vaccines across the continent.
As the outbreak continues to escalate, the focus remains on containing the spread and preventing further loss of life. The Africa CDC's declaration is a crucial step in mobilising resources and international support to tackle this growing health emergency.
