Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been officially designated a public health emergency in Africa by the continent’s leading health authority. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has expressed significant concern regarding the rapid spread of a new strain of mpox.
Since the start of the year, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 13,700 cases and approximately 450 deaths attributed to the virus. Mpox, known to cause lesions across the body, has extended its reach to several other African nations, including Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya, and Rwanda.
The declaration of a public health emergency aims to enhance governmental coordination in response efforts and facilitate the distribution of medical supplies and aid to the affected regions. Health officials globally are closely monitoring the outbreak to gauge the potential for further spread.
As of late July, authorities noted the risk of mpox in Europe remains “very low.” The virus is transmitted from animals to humans and can spread between individuals through close contact, including sexual encounters, skin-to-skin interactions, and proximity during conversation.
Symptoms of mpox may include fever, muscle aches, and body lesions. If untreated, mpox can be fatal. There are two primary strains of the virus: the less severe strain responsible for the global outbreak in 2022, which primarily spread through sexual contact, and a more lethal strain endemic to central Africa that is causing concern in DR Congo.
Three vaccines are available, but their administration is typically restricted to individuals at high risk or those who have had close contact with an infected person. The evolving situation necessitates ongoing vigilance and response to mitigate the impact of this public health threat.
