By Adebowale Bello. Freelance Health Writer.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024. In an unprecedented move, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared its first-ever public health emergency in response to the escalating mpox crisis across the continent. This declaration, made during a media briefing, serves as a clarion call for increased global support and attention to the developing health crisis.
The announcement comes on the eve of a crucial World Health Organization (WHO) emergency committee meeting, where experts will deliberate on potentially reinstating a global public health emergency for mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. The previous WHO emergency declaration, which lasted 10 months, was prompted by the unexpected worldwide spread of mpox in mid-2022.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, presented sobering statistics that underscore the severity of the situation:
Over 15,000 mpox cases and 461 deaths reported year-to-date in Africa
A staggering 160% increase in cases compared to the same period in 2023
18 countries affected, including first-time reports from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda
Epidemiologist Salim Abdool Karim cautioned that these figures likely represent "just the tip of the iceberg" due to limited surveillance and potential mild infections going undetected.
While the WHO reports nearly 100,000 lab-confirmed mpox infections across 116 countries since early 2022, Africa remains the epicenter of the outbreak. The continent is grappling with a particularly concerning clade of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which may cause more severe disease.
Related: Monkeypox: How it spreads and who is at risk?
Dr. Kaseya emphasized the human toll of the outbreak, stating that families across Africa are being "torn apart by this disease." The emergency declaration, he stressed, is not merely a formality but a call to action to mobilize resources and support.
The Africa CDC has secured an agreement for 200,000 vaccine doses from Bavarian Nordic, but this falls far short of the estimated 10 million doses needed to effectively combat the outbreak. The United States has pledged an additional $10 million in health assistance and 50,000 vaccine doses but experts argue that the global response remains inadequate.
Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, a mpox researcher and microbiologist expressed frustration with the slow international reaction, stating, "Globally, we dragged our feet on the situation in [DRC] with, obviously, predictable outcomes."
As the WHO prepares to reassess the global threat level of mpox, concerns are mounting about the potential for the virus to once again spread beyond Africa's borders. Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases specialist warned that it's "just a matter of time before we get that first case in countries outside the African region."
Despite the challenges ahead, Dr. Kaseya expressed confidence in Africa's resilience, drawing parallels to past health crises: "We have faced Ebola, we have faced the devastation of HIV, we have faced the threat of COVID. In each of these battles, we have emerged stronger ... mpox will not be different."
As the continent braces for an intensified fight against mpox, the global health community watches closely, recognizing that the outcome of this battle may have far-reaching consequences for public health worldwide.
Source: CBC News
Related:
Concerning Mpox Cases Surging in the DRC
WHO Allocates $1m to Strengthen Global Mpox Response
Published: August 14, 2024
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