The African Union’s health agency, Africa CDC, has raised alarms over the growing mpox outbreak, saying it is “not yet under control” and warning that it could lead to a crisis more severe than Covid-19 if left unchecked.
So far, over 1,100 people have died from mpox in Africa this year, with around 48,000 cases reported since January.
The chief of staff at Africa CDC, Ngashi Ngongo, shared the grim outlook in an online briefing, saying, “The situation is not yet under control. We are still on the upward trend generally.” Ngongo emphasized that the fight against mpox is especially challenging due to limited funds and resources.
The outbreak has affected 19 African countries, with cases still rising in several areas. Uganda recently reported its first death from mpox, intensifying concerns across the continent.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been the hardest hit, even started a vaccination campaign to curb the spread.
Africa CDC warned that more support, both politically and financially, is essential to prevent mpox from turning into another major pandemic.
Ngongo stated, “What we need is continuous political and financial mobilisation…to stop mpox from becoming a pandemic much more severe than Covid-19.”
Mpox, which was once called monkeypox, is spread through close physical contact and is similar to smallpox, causing symptoms like fever, body aches, and rashes that develop into blisters.
