August 2024—Mpox, the highly infectious disease formerly known as monkeypox, has been declared a public health emergency across Africa by the continent’s top health authority, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The announcement comes in response to a rapidly spreading new strain of the virus that has already led to significant outbreaks in several African countries, raising alarms among health experts and government officials.
A Growing Crisis: Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the epicenter of the current outbreak, with more than 13,700 cases and 450 deaths reported since the beginning of the year. The virus, which can cause painful and disfiguring lesions across the body, has begun to spread beyond the DRC’s borders, affecting neighboring countries including Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya, and Rwanda.
Scientists at the Africa CDC are particularly concerned about the speed at which this new strain of mpox is spreading. Unlike the strain that led to a global outbreak in 2022, which was primarily transmitted through sexual contact, the new variant has shown a higher rate of transmission through various forms of close contact. This includes skin-to-skin contact, respiratory droplets, and possibly even indirect contact with contaminated surfaces.
What is Mpox and How Does it Spread?
Mpox is a viral disease that originally spread from animals to humans but is now known to transmit easily between people. The disease causes a range of symptoms, from fever and muscle aches to severe skin lesions that can cover the entire body. While mpox can be mild, it is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised individuals and can be fatal if left untreated.
There are two main strains of the mpox virus. The milder strain was responsible for the 2022 outbreak, which spread across Europe, Australia, the United States, and other parts of the world. However, the more deadly strain, which is endemic to central Africa, is behind the current outbreak in the DRC and other African countries. This strain has a higher fatality rate and is causing serious concerns among health officials.
A Call to Action: Africa CDC’s Response
Jean Kaseya, the head of Africa CDC, has warned that the situation could spiral out of control if immediate and decisive action is not taken. “This declaration is not merely a formality. It is a clarion call to action. It is a recognition that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat,” he said in a recent press briefing.
The declaration of a public health emergency is aimed at helping governments coordinate their response to the outbreak more effectively. It is also expected to facilitate an increase in the flow of medical supplies and aid to the affected regions, where healthcare systems are already under significant strain.
One of the key strategies in the response plan is the procurement of vaccines. There are currently three vaccines available for mpox, but they are typically reserved for individuals at high risk or those who have been in close contact with an infected person. Dr. Kaseya announced plans to secure approximately 10 million doses of the vaccine to help curb the spread of the virus across the continent.
The Global Context: Monitoring the Risk
While the outbreak is currently concentrated in Africa, health officials around the world are closely monitoring the situation. On July 29, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assessed the risk of the mpox virus spreading to Europe as “very low,” given the current patterns of transmission and containment efforts.
However, the emergence of this more virulent strain has heightened concerns about potential international spread. In the interconnected world, diseases that are initially contained within one region can quickly become global threats if not managed effectively.
Looking Ahead: The Importance of a Coordinated Response
The declaration of a public health emergency by the Africa CDC is a critical step in addressing the mpox outbreak, but much more needs to be done. Health experts stress the importance of a coordinated, continent-wide response to ensure that the virus is contained and that those affected receive the care and support they need.
Public awareness campaigns are being ramped up to educate people about the symptoms of mpox and how to prevent its spread. Health authorities are also urging the public to take precautions, such as avoiding close contact with individuals showing symptoms of the disease and practicing good hygiene.
As the situation continues to evolve, the global health community remains on high alert. The lessons learned from past outbreaks, including the 2022 global spread of the milder mpox strain, underscore the need for swift and effective action to prevent the current crisis from escalating further.
With the right measures in place, there is hope that the spread of mpox can be contained, and the impact of the outbreak minimized. However, the coming weeks and months will be critical in determining the course of this public health emergency in Africa.