Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services has declared an outbreak of mpox in the city of Swakopmund, activating surveillance, contact tracing, and response teams to contain the spread.
The ministry announced the outbreak on Facebook, emphasizing its commitment to public health safety.
This development highlights the ongoing global health concerns surrounding mpox, which has affected numerous countries worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working closely with countries to enhance preparedness and response measures. In response to outbreaks, the WHO recommends strengthening surveillance systems, ensuring rapid detection and reporting of cases, and implementing effective contact tracing.
Vaccination is also recommended for individuals at high risk of exposure, such as healthcare workers and contacts of confirmed cases.
In August, the WHO declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), citing the rapid spread of the virus in several countries.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also declared mpox a public health emergency of continental security, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response to address the outbreak.
