A “public health emergency of continental security” pertaining to mpox has been formally declared by the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
This concerning announcement is in response to the virus’s fast spreading new strain, Clade Ib, which has already caused over 13,700 cases and 450 fatalities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the year’s beginning.
The common symptoms of mpox, a virus spread by intimate contact, include pus-filled blisters and flu-like symptoms.
Even while the majority of cases are mild, the virus can be deadly, especially when it comes to the highly contagious Clade Ib version, which spreads swiftly through regular close contact, even amongst youngsters.
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, announced the health emergency during an online briefing on Tuesday. He expressed deep concern over the virus’s impact on the continent, stating, “With a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as a public health emergency of continental security. Mpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across our continent, families have been torn apart, and the pain and suffering have touched every corner of our continent.”
The virus has also infected Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and other nations in Africa. As a result, the Africa CDC has had to act quickly to stop the virus’s spread and lessen its effects on public health throughout the continent.
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