Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has been declared a public health emergency in Africa by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The declaration comes in response to a rapidly spreading new strain of the virus.
Since the start of the year, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths from mpox. The disease has also spread to Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya, and Rwanda.
Understanding Mpox and Its Transmission
Mpox can cause widespread lesions on the body and spreads from animals to humans, as well as between people through close contact. This includes sexual contact, skin-to-skin interaction, or breathing the same air as an infected person. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and body lesions. Without treatment, mpox can be fatal.
There are two main strains of the virus. The milder strain caused a global outbreak in 2022, primarily spread through sexual contact, affecting Europe, Australia, the US, and other regions. The more deadly strain, found in central Africa, is responsible for the recent surge in DR Congo.
Response and Vaccination Efforts
The public health emergency declaration aims to improve government coordination and boost the flow of medical supplies and aid. Africa CDC head Jean Kaseya emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate and proactive measures to control the outbreak.
“Being reactive is no longer sufficient. We must act now to contain and eliminate this threat,” Kaseya stated.
Health officials outside Africa are also monitoring the situation to assess the risk of further spread. On July 29, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported that the risk of mpox in Europe was “very low.”
Three vaccines are available, but they are typically administered only to individuals at risk or those who have been in close contact with an infected person. Dr. Kaseya announced plans to secure about 10 million vaccine doses to help control the outbreak in Africa.
