Update on Mpox Outbreak in Africa: Watchdog Urges for Resources to Prevent Worsening Pandemic

The African Union’s health watchdog, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has released a stark warning about the ongoing mpox outbreak. The situation is described as ‘still on the upward trend generally,’ with a significant increase in cases and deaths across the continent.

The Current State of the Mpox Outbreak in Africa

The Africa CDC’s chief, Ngashi Ngongo, highlighted during a briefing on Thursday that the mpox outbreak is not under control. Over 1,100 deaths and 48,000 cases have been recorded since January, with cases still increasing in multiple African countries.

Central Africa has been the most affected, accounting for 85.7 percent of cases and 99.5 percent of fatalities. The majority of these deaths, and nearly all deaths in Africa, have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has initiated a vaccination drive in response.

Funding Concerns and Appeal for Resources

Ngongo emphasized the acute need for political and financial support to contain the outbreak. Current resources are not sufficient to mitigate the spread of mpox effectively.

“What we need is the continuous political and financial mobilisation,” Ngongo asserted. He emphasized the severity of this pandemic, stating, “We are facing another pandemic which would be much more severe than COVID-19 if we do not act now.”

Global Spread of the New Mpox Variant

The mpox variant, known as clade 1b, has also been detected outside of Africa. Cases have been reported in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Germany.

Call to Action: Stay Informed and Support Preventive Measures

As the mpox outbreak continues to spread, it’s crucial for everyone to stay informed about the latest developments and preventative measures. If you have not yet, please take the following actions:

• Seek accurate information from reliable health sources.
• Follow public health guidelines and advice from local authorities.
• Support local health organizations and initiatives aimed at containing the spread of mpox.

Let’s work together to ensure the prompt and effective containment of the mpox outbreak with the right financial and political mobilization. For the latest updates and official information, please refer to the Africa CDC website.