The African Union’s health watchdog, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has expressed concern over the continued spread of the mpox outbreak in Africa. Ngashi Ngongo, the chief of the Africa CDC, stated that the situation is still not under control and emphasized the need for resources to prevent a more severe pandemic than COVID-19. With over 1,100 deaths and 48,000 cases recorded in Africa since January, the continent is facing challenges in containing the outbreak, which comes on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and exposes weaknesses in the health system.
Countries in Africa are still experiencing an increase in cases of mpox, with 19 countries reporting infections after a case was detected in Mauritius, a popular tourist destination. Despite the urgent need for funds to address the outbreak, Africa CDC has highlighted a lack of financial resources to combat the spread of the virus. Continuous political and financial mobilization is deemed necessary to prevent mpox from escalating into a more severe pandemic compared to COVID-19. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is transmitted to humans through infected animals and can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.
Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, presents symptoms such as fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that develops into blisters. There are two main subtypes of the virus – clade 1 and clade 2. The United Kingdom recently confirmed its first case of mpox with the latest variant, clade 1b, with cases also detected in Sweden and Germany. Central Africa has been hit the hardest by the outbreak, with 85.7% of cases and 99.5% of deaths in the region. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, has initiated a vaccination campaign in an effort to control the spread of the virus.
The mpox outbreak in Africa continues to pose a significant threat, with cases spreading and deaths increasing across the continent. The Africa CDC has issued warnings regarding the need for additional resources to address the outbreak and prevent it from becoming a more severe pandemic than COVID-19. With the majority of deaths occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region accounting for the highest number of cases and fatalities, efforts to contain the virus are essential. Countries in Africa are urged to prioritize political and financial measures to stop the spread of mpox and protect public health.
In conclusion, the mpox outbreak in Africa remains a critical public health concern, with cases still on the rise and resources needed to combat the virus effectively. The Africa CDC has emphasized the need for continuous political and financial mobilization to address the outbreak and prevent it from worsening. With the majority of cases and deaths in Central Africa, efforts to control the spread of mpox are crucial to protect the population and prevent a more severe pandemic. Countries in Africa must work together to strengthen their health systems and implement measures to contain the outbreak and minimize its impact on public health.
