In a significant development, Tanzania has reported its first two cases of mpox, marking the country's entry into the ongoing health crisis affecting 23 nations across Africa, according to officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Dr. Jean Kaseya, the director-general of Africa CDC, emphasized that both Tanzanian cases involve individuals with a history of travel to countries previously affected by the outbreak.

The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a prominent hotspot for mpox, revealed an increase in suspected cases over the past week. However, the ratio of confirmed cases has decreased, highlighting ongoing testing challenges. These issues are exacerbated by the conflict in the most affected regions and funding cuts from the United States, which have hindered the transportation of samples to laboratories necessary for testing.

In Uganda, another critical area for mpox, confirmed cases have increased, but the country boasts a testing rate of 100%. The rise in cases is predominantly seen among adults aged 18 to 39 and within sexual networks. Dr. Kaseya expressed concerns about a troubling trend: a rising death rate linked to underlying health conditions amongst the infected population. Treatment centers, particularly in Entebbe, are becoming overwhelmed, prompting officials to explore home-based care options for mild cases and establish more isolation units.

The Urgent Need for Vaccination

Vaccination efforts are currently active in five African countries, with over 606,000 individuals vaccinated, of which more than 543,000 have received their first dose. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, who oversees Africa CDC's mpox response team, revealed that the organization initially sought 10 million vaccine doses, with donor countries promising only 60% of that need. Approximately 6.4 million individuals still require vaccination to curb the outbreak effectively.

To support vaccination efforts, Africa CDC, alongside the World Food Program and UNICEF, is procuring cold chain equipment valued at over $5.4 million. This equipment aims to enhance the storage and distribution of mpox vaccines, particularly targeting Uganda, the DRC, and Rwanda.

With the continuous threat posed by mpox, officials have underscored the urgent need to mobilize additional vaccines and operational funds. They warn that any shortages could derail current momentum and the high acceptance rates seen with the vaccination campaigns.

Dr. Kaseya indicated that the decline in global funding for Africa's health needs from Western nations over the past four years adds to the urgency of the situation. He is set to convene a meeting with African health ministers to discuss global health financing and identify sustainable funding solutions for the continent. The call for action has never been more pressing, as Africa faces the dual challenge of rising mpox cases and dwindling resources.