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Mpox Declared Public Health Emergency in Africa Amid Rapid Spread. Africa’s top health body, Africa CDC, has declared mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a public health emergency due to the rapid spread of a new strain, BBC News reports. Since the start of the year, over 13,700 mpox cases and 450 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising significant concerns. The virus has extended beyond DR Congo, affecting countries like Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Rwanda. The declaration aims to facilitate better coordination among governments and increase medical supplies and aid to affected regions. Jean Kaseya, head of Africa CDC, emphasized the urgency of proactive measures to prevent the disease from spiraling out of control. Health authorities outside Africa, including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, are assessing the potential risk of the outbreak spreading further. Mpox spreads through close contact, including sexual contact, and can cause symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and body lesions. If untreated, it can be deadly. The virus has two strains—one milder, responsible for the 2022 global outbreak, and a more deadly strain, endemic to central Africa, linked to the current variant in DR Congo. While three vaccines exist, they are typically reserved for those at high risk or in close contact with infected individuals. Dr. Kaseya announced efforts to secure approximately 10 million vaccine doses to curb the disease's spread in Africa.
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