Ghana Faces Alarming Rise in Mpox Cases

In a concerning development, Ghana has reported a staggering 87% spike in mpox cases, jumping from 167 to 313 confirmed infections within just one week. This dramatic surge has been highlighted by Professor Yap Boum, Africa CDC's deputy lead on mpox, during a recent media briefing. The nation, as well as Guinea, are now seeking vaccinations from the Africa CDC to combat this growing threat.

Continental Snapshot: Mixed Trends Across Africa

While Ghana grapples with this alarming increase, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Guinea, and Liberia account for a whopping 86% of mpox cases on the continent. Despite a modest 7% rise in cases over the past week, the overall situation has improved significantly, with infections plummeting by 76% since the height of the epidemic.

Global Perspective: The Western Pacific on the Rise

On a global scale, mpox has affected 47 countries across five of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions. Notably, the Western Pacific region reported an eye-watering 160% increase in mpox cases from June to July—thanks to a surge in the Philippines, which went from zero to 126 confirmed cases, and an increase in China from 108 to 152.

Concerns Over Clade Ib MPXV

New cases of clade Ib MPXV, linked to travel, have emerged from countries like China, Germany, Türkiye, and the UK. However, community transmission of this more virulent strain is presently confined to central and eastern Africa.

A Glimmer of Hope Amid Declines

Despite the alarming rise in specific regions, global mpox cases are on a downward trend, especially in Africa, where a 28% reduction in cases has been reported between June and July. Regions such as the Americas and Europe also saw a 31% decrease. Remarkably, the Eastern Mediterranean region reported zero cases last month.

Other Health Challenges: Cholera on the Decline

In related health news, cholera cases in Africa are also decreasing, except in the DRC and Chad. In response to the ongoing crisis, African leaders have committed to establish a Continental Task Force on Cholera Control to tackle the pervasive issue of inadequate access to clean water.

So far this year, Africa has recorded 231,738 cholera cases, inching close to last year's total. These developments underline a pressing need for improved public health initiatives and resources across the continent.