The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared Mpox, a highly infectious disease formerly known as monkeypox, a public health emergency across the continent.
This urgent declaration comes as scientists express deep concern over the rapid spread of a new, more deadly strain of the virus.
Since the start of the year, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths linked to this aggressive variant. The virus, which causes lesions across the body, has already spread beyond the DRC, with cases now detected in Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya, and Rwanda.
The public health emergency declaration is expected to bolster coordinated responses from governments, facilitating the distribution of medical supplies and aid to the hardest-hit regions. Global health authorities outside Africa are also closely monitoring the situation, wary of the potential for this outbreak to spread further.
Mpox is known to transmit from animals to humans and between people through close contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin interactions, and even talking or breathing in close proximity. The virus can cause symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and widespread lesions. Without timely treatment, Mpox can be fatal.
Two primary strains of the virus have been identified. The milder strain was responsible for the global outbreak in 2022, which affected countries across Europe, Australia, the US, and beyond, primarily spreading through sexual contact. The more lethal strain, endemic to central Africa, has given rise to the newly identified variant in the DRC.
While three vaccines are available, they are typically reserved for those at high risk or who have had close contact with an infected person.
