Africa is preparing to declare a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security due to the ongoing Mpox (Monkeypox) outbreak, which has been spreading across many countries.
Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control, shared this news during a webinar on Thursday about the Mpox situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African nations.
“Mpox is the reality, and Africans are dying,” Kaseya said. “We are taking decisive actions to protect our people. Next week, more likely, we will declare the PHECS.”
Mpox is a viral disease similar to smallpox but generally less severe. It is marked by symptoms like fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease can spread from animals to humans and from human to human through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.
The World Health Organisation renamed monkeypox to “Mpox” in 2022 to reduce stigma associated with the original name.
Kaseya emphasized the need for a coordinated response to manage the outbreak. “The declaration of the PHECS will mobilise resources, streamline cross-border responses, and strengthen the continent’s health systems,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of involving young people in the fight against the outbreak.
“This call for youths’ involvement is vital to harnessing their energy and innovation in combating the spread of the virus,” Kaseya added.
He noted that Africa CDC has been actively monitoring the Mpox outbreak, which has caused significant concern due to its rapid spread. “Public health officials have warned that without urgent action, the situation could worsen, putting even more lives at risk,” Kaseya said.
Since January 2022, Africa has reported 38,465 Mpox cases and 1,456 deaths. The number of cases in 2024 has increased by 160% compared to 2023.
Kaseya shared details about new Mpox cases in various countries. In Côte d’Ivoire, the first outbreak involved a 46-year-old agricultural worker and a 20-year-old student from Abidjan. Kenya reported its first case involving a 42-year-old truck driver at the Kenya-Tanzania border. Uganda identified two female cases in Kasese district, both imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The outbreak has affected all five regions of Africa and 16 countries, presenting a major public health challenge. The disease has a 3.2% case fatality rate, with children under 15 being most affected.
The African Union’s Executive Council recently approved a statute allowing Africa CDC to make independent public health decisions, following WHO’s declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in July 2022.
(NAN)
