Rising Mpox Cases in Africa: Urgency for Global and Local Response
Mpox cases are rising across Africa, with fifteen countries currently experiencing outbreaks, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Public health officials are calling for increased vaccine supply and comprehensive public health strategies, as current resources are inadequate. U.S. President Biden has pledged significant financial support and vaccine donations to aid African nations in combatting the outbreak. The current scenario reflects an urgent need for coordinated international efforts and effective local interventions to prevent further escalation of the disease.
As mpox cases continue to surge across Africa, public health officials and global leaders are raising urgent concerns about the necessity for enhanced containment measures. Presently, fifteen countries are identified as having active outbreaks, with Morocco being the most recent to report a case. Samuel Boland, the mpox incident manager for the World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for Africa, informed that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi account for nearly 90% of confirmed cases; however, additional outbreaks are emerging in several other nations. “DRC, Burundi [are] especially affected but also Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Republic of Congo, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Gabon, Rwanda, South Africa and Guinea,” he stated in a communication from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The WHO has identified two distinct strains, known as clades: Clade I, previously termed the Congo Basin clade, and Clade II, known as the West African clade. Formerly referred to as monkeypox, this viral disease is primarily spread through close personal contact and can occasionally be transmitted via contaminated objects or environments. Symptoms typically include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. To date, there have been 6,580 confirmed cases this year; however, the number of suspected cases—those that are clinically consistent with mpox but untested due to limitations in several countries—has escalated to nearly 32,000. Tragically, among this large pool of suspected cases, 844 individuals have succumbed, whereas confirmed cases this year account for 32 recorded deaths, according to Boland. In a recent virtual briefing, Jean Kaseya, the director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the mpox situation remains uncontrolled across the continent. He highlighted that vaccine donations are arriving but are inadequate to manage the outbreak effectively. “Today, we have almost around 4 million commitments of doses, but we say we need more,” Kaseya stressed. During an address to global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden underscored the urgent need for swift action against the mpox outbreak. He announced, “We are prepared to commit $500 million to help African countries prevent and respond to mpox and to donate 1 million doses of mpox vaccine now,” although no specific timeline for vaccine delivery was provided. These commitments will be made bilaterally in collaboration with partner nations and through multilateral organizations. Moreover, Boland emphasized that this outbreak necessitates comprehensive public health interventions, stating, “Things like surveillance, which will include case investigation and contact tracing — both going out into communities and looking for cases.” He further advocated for community engagement to report illnesses, alongside emphasizing infection prevention, control, case management, and vaccination efforts.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that has shown increasing incidence in various regions of Africa. Public health experts have identified multiple countries affected by outbreaks, with significant concentrations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, highlighting the need for immediate action to prevent further spread. Understanding the nature of this virus, its transmission methods, and the public health response is critical for mitigating its impact on the continent.
The alarming rise of mpox cases in Africa necessitates urgent action from both local health authorities and international partners. While confirmed cases and deaths are rising, the pool of suspected cases is also substantial, underscoring the need for more resources and vaccine support. Global leaders, particularly from the United States, have pledged financial and medical assistance, yet the situation remains critical. Continued public health interventions are essential to control the outbreak and ensure community safety.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
