Introduction

DAKAR - The spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has reached staggering rates on the African continent, with cases up over 500% compared to the previous year, according to the latest data from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), released on October 31.

WHO Declaration

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency in mid-August after a new strain emerged from the Democratic Republic of Congo and began spreading to neighboring countries, raising alarm among health officials.

Urgent Situation

Dr. Ngashi Ngongo from Africa CDC emphasized the urgency of the situation during a recent briefing. "The situation is not yet under control, and we are still on a generally upward trend," he warned, bolstering concerns regarding the virus's aggressive transmission.

Current Statistics

The current statistics are alarming: 19 African countries have reported over 48,000 suspected mpox cases this year, including 1,048 fatalities. Central Africa bears the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for a staggering 85.7% of cases and 99.5% of deaths across the continent.

Transmission and Concerns

Mpox is primarily transmitted through close physical contact, including sexual contact, raising fears that its spread could lead to significant public health crises. The new variant, known as clade 1b, is also emerging in Europe, with confirmed cases detected in countries such as Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Call for Action

Dr. Ngongo underlined the need for urgent political commitment and financial backing to effectively combat the outbreak. "We do not want this mpox, especially the clade 1b, to become another sexually transmitted pandemic, which would be much more severe than Covid-19," he cautioned, highlighting the potential for widespread health repercussions.

Conclusion

As the situation develops, health authorities are intensifying efforts to slow the spread of mpox and protect vulnerable communities across the continent. Will this outbreak usher in a new era of global health crises? Only time will tell, but the urgency for comprehensive action has never been clearer.