Africa’s CDC reports 107 new Mpox (Monkeypox) deaths and 3,160 new infections in the last 7 days
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 13, 2024 5 days, 8 hours, 16 minutes ago
Medical News: The ongoing Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak in Africa has reached a critical level, with a staggering 107 new Mpox deaths and 3,160 fresh infections reported in just the last seven days, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). As the continent battles the rapidly spreading virus, top health officials are urgently calling for international support to curb the escalating situation. All the deaths and new infections were attributed to the Mpox clade 1b strain which is reportedly more transmissible and deadly.
https://africacdc.org/download/africa-cdc-weekly-event-based-surveillance-report-september-2024/
Africa’s CDC reports 107 new Mpox (Monkeypox) deaths and 3,160 new infections in the last 7 days
Actual figures could well be much higher than reported as diagnostics and testing capabilities are not available in many geolocations across the African continent coupled, with many deaths in rural areas often going unreported.
Plea for Global Support
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, has issued an urgent appeal to Western countries, urging them not to abandon Africa in this time of crisis. The plea for solidarity comes as Africa grapples with a severe mpox outbreak that has persisted for nearly two years. Dr. Kaseya called for renewed international cooperation, emphasizing that lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic should guide future actions.
"We don't want to come back again tomorrow to say, you again abandoned Africa," Dr. Kaseya stressed during a briefing on Thursday that also involved mainstream media outlets and
Medical News journalists. His remarks alluded to the widespread criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic when Africa was left without adequate vaccine supplies while wealthier nations stockpiled doses. Dr. Kaseya urged Western countries to step up and rebuild the broken trust between them and Africa, calling for solidarity and increased global efforts to help the continent combat this outbreak.
The Extent of the Outbreak
Mpox has been spreading rapidly across Africa since October 2022. The situation has worsened significantly over the last few months, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the outbreak is most severe. According to Africa CDC reports from late August, more than 27,000 suspected cases and over 1,300 deaths have been recorded in the DRC alone since January 2023. The entire continent now faces a growing challenge as mpox continues to spread, with limited access to vaccines and treatment.
Currently, Africa CDC is seeking US$600 million in international funding to launch a comprehensive vaccination program. This effort aims to provide immunization to vulnerable populations and slow the spread of the disease, which has already reached 14 African countries.
Variants and Risks
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which has two main
variants: Clade One and Clade Two. Both variants have been spreading rapidly through different regions of Africa. Clade One is known to be more severe, with a higher mortality rate and a greater potential for human-to-human transmission. In contrast, Clade Two is considered less lethal, with lower transmission rates, but it remains a serious concern as it continues to affect multiple African countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox virus outbreak in Africa a global health emergency in August, the highest level of alert in the international health community. This declaration underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate and robust responses from the global community.
Africa’s Vaccination Struggle
The ongoing mpox outbreak highlights the stark inequality in global healthcare systems, with Africa once again finding itself on the receiving end of inadequate resources and support. Vaccine shortages have hampered efforts to control the outbreak, and the situation is dire in several regions. Africa CDC’s request for U.S.$600 million in aid is not just a call for financial assistance but a plea for fairness and equity in addressing global health crises.
Dr. Kaseya pointed out that while Africa has faced numerous health challenges, including Ebola and COVID-19, the continent’s resilience is being stretched thin. The mpox outbreak poses a serious threat to both public health and economic stability in the region.
The Need for Global Solidarity
As Africa continues its fight against mpox, the need for international cooperation is more critical than ever. The lack of adequate resources, including vaccines and medical supplies, has made the situation worse. Africa CDC is calling on the international community to act swiftly and not repeat the mistakes made during the COVID-19 pandemic when Africa was left to fend for itself.
Dr. Kaseya's powerful message serves as a reminder that global health crises cannot be tackled in isolation. "It's really time for solidarity," he said, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding trust and ensuring that Africa receives the support it needs to combat mpox effectively.
For the latest Mpox News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-medical-authorities-need-to-do-more-to-stop-local-transmission-of-mpox-clade-2b-142-cases-so-far-in-2024
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/past-study-shows-that-monkeypox-mpox-virus-is-able-to-suppress-both-cd4-and-cd8-t-cell-activation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/monkeypox
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