The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, a public health emergency on the continent due to its rapid spread from country to country.
Since the beginning of the year, over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the outbreak is most severe. The disease, which causes body-wide lesions, has also spread to other African countries, including Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya, and Rwanda.
The Africa CDC seeks to improve coordination among governments and potentially increase the flow of medical supplies and aid to affected areas. Health officials outside Africa are also monitoring the situation to assess the risk of further transmission.
“Insecurity, limited understanding of Mpox transmission, and co-infections like HIV present significant challenges. We call on global partners to strengthen Africa’s response, led by Africa CDC,” CDC’s Director Jean Kaseya wrote on X on Tuesday.
Insecurity, limited understanding of Mpox transmission, and co-infections like HIV present significant challenges. We call on global partners to strengthen Africa’s response, led by Africa CDC. #Mpox pic.twitter.com/5ntklQesZ9
— Jean Kaseya (@JeanKaseya2) August 13, 2024
The number of cases has nearly doubled since last year, with deaths rising by almost 20%. The African Union has allocated $10.4 million from existing COVID-19 funds to support the Africa CDC’s response efforts.
Dr. Fiona Braka from the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that cases have now been reported in 11 countries in the region since the start of 2024, with the DRC accounting for 96%. Recent reports from Rwanda, the Central African Republic, Burundi, and Kenya indicate that the disease is being transmitted across central and east African countries, including a case in Kenya linked to a person having traveled from Uganda.
South Africa has also recorded cases, though preliminary tests suggest these may involve a less dangerous strain of the virus. Health experts warn that the virus is evolving and now affecting new groups, including sex workers. Mpox spreads through physical and sexual contact, and people may not always show symptoms, complicating detection and control efforts.
Mpox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It was first discovered in 1958 when monkeys used in research had an outbreak of a pox-like illness. The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the disease is now common in other several central and east African countries.
There are two main types of monkeypox virus. Clade I, found in Central Africa, can cause more severe illness with a death rate of up to 10%. A variant of this type, Clade I.b, is responsible for the current outbreak in Africa. Clade II, found in West Africa, usually causes milder illness with a death rate of less than 0.1%. In 2022, Clade II led to a global outbreak with about 99,500 confirmed cases and over 200 deaths.
Monkeypox symptoms range from no symptoms at all to flu-like symptoms (fever, body aches, headache), swollen lymph nodes, and fluid-filled sores. The virus spreads through contact with infected animals or through direct contact with infected lesions or contaminated items such as bedding or clothing.