Mpox outbreak declared public health emergency in Africa
A laboratory nurse, takes a sample from a child declared a suspected case of Mpox at the treatment centre in Munigi, following Mpox cases in Nyiragongo territory near Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo on July 19, 2024. (Photo by Arlette Bashizi via Reuters)
Africa is facing a severe public health crisis as the continent’s top health body, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), declares an mpox outbreak a public health emergency.
This year, over 15,000 mpox cases and 461 deaths have been reported, marking a staggering 160% increase in cases and a 19% rise in deaths compared to the same period in 2023.
Rapid spread of new strain
The outbreak, primarily affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has spread to 18 neighboring countries, with the DRC accounting for 96% of all cases and deaths. Nearly 70% of these cases in the DRC involve children under 15, who also represent 85% of the deaths.
The disease, previously known as monkeypox, is causing growing concern because of the emergence of a new variant, Clade 1b, which appears to spread more easily through close contact, particularly among children.
Call for urgent action
Jean Kaseya, head of Africa CDC, emphasized the urgency of the situation, declaring: “We declare today this public health emergency of continental security to mobilize our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act swiftly and decisively.”
He further highlighted the pressing need for vaccines, stating that the continent requires more than 10 million doses, yet only around 200,000 doses are currently available.
Mpox’s endemic presence in Africa
Mpox has been endemic in parts of Africa for decades, with the first human case detected in the DRC in 1970.
The virus resurfaced globally in 2022, spreading to over 100 countries and prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency of international concern. Although the WHO lifted this emergency 10 months later, the resurgence of mpox in Africa has reignited fears of a widespread health crisis.
No reported cases in Türkiye
In the past, mpox cases were detected in Türkiye, where patients were isolated and subsequently recovered.
Official sources have stated that the Turkish Ministry of Health has taken all necessary precautions and that no mpox cases have been detected in Türkiye this year.
The Directorate of Communications’ Center for Combating Disinformation also issued a statement: “The WHO has raised the issue of declaring an international emergency because of the variant of mpox emerging in Africa. No cases of ‘monkeypox’ have been detected in Türkiye this year.”
“The Ministry of Health has taken all necessary precautions regarding this matter. The Ministry is meticulously conducting preliminary research and preparation processes for all possible diseases and viruses.”
