the number of mpox-related deaths in Africa exceed 1,000Prompting health officials to call for increased international support to combat the ongoing outbreak The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported that 50 people had died in the past week, raising the total to 1,100. This alarming surge highlights the significant challenges facing health authorities in managing the outbreak across 18 of the continent’s 55 countries.
Read more: Ronvit Body: Supplement your diet with extra high protein
Urgent call for action
Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa CDC, emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that without immediate intervention, MPOX could spiral out of control. He called on international partners to meet their financial commitments to support Africa’s response efforts, noting that a proposed six-month plan requires about $600 million. This funding is critical to addressing the needs of affected countries and enhancing preparedness against further outbreaks.
Recent developments
Recent developments include new empox cases reported in Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as the first death linked to the virus in Kenya. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was largely unknown in Africa until a global outbreak began in 2022. Vaccination efforts have begun in Rwanda and Congo to prevent the spread of the virus.
Context of the outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a global health emergency in August 2024, with the Democratic Republic of Congo identified as the epicenter. Despite urgent requests from African governments for vaccine doses, rich countries have provided limited supplies, leaving many countries at risk of further spread.
The ongoing situation emphasizes the need for strong international cooperation and support to effectively manage and contain empox outbreaks across the continent. As health officials continue to monitor and respond to this public health crisis, timely action and resources will be essential to prevent loss of life and mitigate the impact on affected communities.
