Africa To Declare Public Health Emergency Over Mpox Outbreak

The African continent is on the verge of declaring a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security as the Mpox (Monkeypox) outbreak continues to proliferate across numerous nations.

The Director General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control, Dr Jean Kaseya, hinted at this during a webinar held on Thursday while addressing the Mpox outbreak situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African nations.

Naija News reports that Mpox is a viral infection that can affect both humans and various animal species.

The condition is characterized by symptoms such as a blistering rash that eventually crusts, along with fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Generally, the disease is mild, and the majority of individuals who contract it tend to recover within a few weeks without the need for medical intervention.

In 2022, the World Health Organization and other health organizations rebranded monkeypox as “pox” to mitigate the stigma and discrimination linked to its original name.

Kaseya emphasized the critical necessity for a unified response to effectively manage and contain the disease.

“Mpox is the reality, and Africans are dying.

“We are taking decisive actions to protect our people. Next week, more likely, we will declare the PHECS,” Dr Kaseya said during the webinar.

He indicated that the initiative aims to mobilize resources, enhance cross-border responses, and strengthen the continent’s health systems in the face of the outbreak.

Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of involving the youth of the continent in combating the outbreak.

Kaseya mentioned that the declaration of the Public Health Emergency of Continental Significance (PHECS) would rely on the advice of health professionals and political leaders throughout Africa, ensuring a coordinated and effective response to the outbreak.

“This call for youths’ involvement is vital to harnessing their energy and innovation in combating the spread of the virus.

“This will help us to have an appropriate response, to help stop this outbreak, and also reinforce the health system in Africa,” Kaseya said.

He stated that the Africa CDC has played a leading role in overseeing and addressing the Mpox outbreak, which has raised considerable alarm due to its swift transmission and the increasing death toll.

“Public health officials have warned that without urgent action, the situation could worsen, putting even more lives at risk.

“As the continent braces for the official declaration of the PHECS, there is a growing sense of urgency to contain the outbreak.

“The declaration is expected to facilitate the rapid deployment of medical supplies, enhance the sharing of critical information, and improve the overall resilience of public health systems across Africa.

“The global community is closely monitoring these developments, recognising that Africa’s response to the Mpox outbreak will have far-reaching implications for public health security both on the continent and worldwide,” the medical personnel noted.

Kaseya elaborated that the rise in Mpox cases throughout Africa presents a considerable public health challenge, as all five regions and 16 countries are currently impacted.

Since January 2022, the continent has documented 38,465 Mpox cases and 1,456 fatalities, reflecting a 160 per cent increase in cases in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Kaseya noted that the disease has proliferated due to cross-border transmission, sexual contact, and co-morbidities, especially in areas with at-risk populations, including those suffering from malnutrition or HIV.

“The outbreak has reached new countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Uganda, marking their first-ever reported cases,” he said.

In reference to the case study from the impacted nations, Kaseya reported that the Ministry of Health in Côte d’Ivoire has announced its initial outbreak of Mpox, which involves a 46-year-old agricultural labourer.

Additionally, it was noted that a 20-year-old student has also been identified as having contracted the illness, with both individuals hailing from Abidjan.

“The mode of exposure remains unclear, and the circulating clade is yet to be identified.

“in Kenya, a 42-year-old long-distance truck driver was identified as the first Mpox case at the Taita Taveta point of entry on the Kenya-Tanzania border.

“in Uganda, two female cases were reported in the Kasese district, both imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.

According to Kaseya, Mpox posed a high risk due to its 3.2 per cent case fatality rate, with children under 15 being the most affected, demographically.