Mpox declared public health emergency in Africa

TANZANIA: THE Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially declared mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a public health emergency, as the continent grapples with an alarming rise in cases.

This declaration comes in response to a rapid and concerning spread of a new variant of the virus.

According to recent reports, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been hardest hit, with over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths recorded since the beginning of the year.

The outbreak has extended beyond DRC, affecting neighbouring countries such as Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya and Rwanda.

“With a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as a public health emergency of continental security.” Head of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, made the announcement during an online media briefing yesterday.

He added, “Mpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across our continent. Families have been torn apart and the pain and suffering have touched every corner of our continent.”

The declaration is aimed at bolstering the coordination of responses across affected nations and enhancing the flow of medical supplies and aid to these regions.

It is also expected to prompt increased international scrutiny, with health authorities outside Africa monitoring the situation to evaluate the potential for the virus to spread further.

Mpox, which was renamed from monkeypox in 2022 by the World Health Organisation to avoid stigma, was first identified in monkeys in Denmark in 1958 but is now known to affect a range of animals, with rodents being the most frequent hosts.

In Tanzania, the government has assured the public that measures are in place to control the virus if cases emerge in the country.

Acting Head of Communications at the Health Ministry, Engilbert Kayombo, said last week that the government is well-prepared to provide quality treatment services should an outbreak or cases of infection occur.

The outbreak has drawn global attention, though the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recently assessed the risk of mpox in Europe as “very low.” Nevertheless, the situation remains critical, with the need for heightened vigilance and proactive measures.

Mpox is transmitted from animals to humans and can spread between people through close contact, including through sexual interactions, skin-to-skin contact and even talking or breathing near an infected person. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and extensive skin lesions. If untreated, the disease can be fatal.

The virus has two main strains. The milder strain was responsible for the global outbreak in 2022, which affected Europe, Australia and the US, primarily spreading through sexual contact.

The more severe strain, endemic to central Africa, is responsible for the recent surge in DRC.

There are three vaccines available for mpox, but they are typically administered only to those at high risk or who have had close contact with an infected individual.

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The African Union’s health watchdog’s declaration of a public health emergency underscores the urgency of addressing the outbreak and reinforces the need for a coordinated response.

Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that from May 2022 to May 31, 2024, there have been 97,745 cases of mpox and 203 deaths reported across 116 countries.

“This declaration is not merely a formality; it is a clarion call to action. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat.” Mr Kaseya said.