Mpox outbreaks: What you need to know about the global health emergency
Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared mpox a public health emergency on the continent. WHO reported more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa this year, which exceeds last year's figures. Over 96% of these cases are concentrated in Congo, where a new, possibly more transmissible form of the virus is causing concern.
What is mpox?
Mpox, first identified in 1958 during outbreaks in monkeys, was mostly seen in individuals from Central and West Africa who had close contact with infected animals. However, the virus spread via sex for the first time in 2022, leading to outbreaks in over 70 countries that had not previously reported mpox. The virus belongs to the same family as smallpox but causes milder symptoms like fever, chills, and body aches, while severe cases can result in lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals.
What’s happening in Africa and why is it concerning?
The situation in Africa has become particularly worrying as the number of cases has risen sharply. According to the Africa CDC, mpox has been detected in at least 13 African countries, with cases up by 160% and deaths increased by 19% compared to the same period last year. Early in 2023, scientists discovered a new form of mpox in a mining town in Congo, which has a fatality rate of up to 10% and may spread more easily among people. This new form causes milder symptoms and lesions primarily around the genitals, making it harder to detect and thereby potentially increasing the risk of transmission.
Dr. Placide
