The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised alarms about the ongoing mpox outbreak, stating that the situation remains unmanageable and that cases are continuing to rise. Ngashi Ngongo, the organization’s chief, expressed concern during a briefing on Thursday, emphasizing that the outbreak is still on an upward trajectory.
Since January, Africa has recorded approximately 48,000 cases of mpox, resulting in over 1,100 deaths. Despite efforts to contain the disease, infections continue to increase in several countries, presenting a significant challenge for the continent’s healthcare system, already strained by the aftermath of COVID-19.
So far, 19 African nations have reported cases of mpox, including Mauritius, a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches and clear waters. However, the Africa CDC has warned that resources needed to combat the outbreak are scarce.
Ngongo called for ongoing political and financial support, stressing that without these resources, mpox could escalate into a pandemic potentially more severe than COVID-19. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is transmitted to humans through infected animals and can spread through close physical contact between individuals.
The disease, which is related to smallpox, presents symptoms such as fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that develops into blisters. There are two main variants of the virus: clade 1 and clade 2.
In recent developments, the United Kingdom reported its first case of the latest mpox variant, clade 1b, which has also been identified in Sweden and Germany. Central Africa remains the most affected region, accounting for 85.7% of cases and 99.5% of deaths on the continent, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo serving as the outbreak’s epicenter, where vaccination efforts have been initiated.
