The mpox outbreak in Africa has reached alarming levels, with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting over 22,800 cases and 622 deaths across 13 African countries since the beginning of 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) has responded by launching a six-month Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, requiring $135 million in funding to combat the outbreak from September 2024 to February 2025.The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with children and adolescents under 15 years old being the most affected age group. The rapid spread of the more transmissible Clade 1b variant has raised concerns about the vulnerability of Africa’s younger population, who lack immunity to the virus.Despite the urgent need, there’s a critical shortage of vaccines. Only 380,000 doses have been promised by Western partners, far short of the 10 million doses needed to effectively contain the outbreak. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, emphasized that ‘mpox is a priority health issue in Africa, but also a global health issue’.The WHO has clarified that while droplets are a possible transmission route, close physical skin-to-skin contact remains the primary mode of spread. This information is crucial for implementing effective prevention strategies in densely populated areas and displacement camps, which are at high risk for rapid transmission.International efforts to combat the outbreak include a week-long workshop in Dakar, Senegal, aimed at training healthcare professionals from 15 West African countries, Rwanda, and Mauritania. However, criticism has been directed at the WHO for delays in approving vaccines for Africa, hindering distribution efforts.As the outbreak continues to evolve, there are growing calls for increased global cooperation, improved vaccine access, and strengthened healthcare systems in affected regions to effectively contain the spread of mpox and prevent further international transmission.
Key points
- Mpox cases in Africa have surged to over 22,800 with 622 deaths across 13 countries.
- WHO launched a $135 million response plan, but faces a critical shortage of vaccines.
- The outbreak primarily affects children and adolescents under 15, raising concerns about Africa’s vulnerable young population.
- International cooperation is crucial, but criticized for slow vaccine approval and distribution processes.
Contradictions👾While some sources emphasize the need for vaccines, others highlight the importance of hygiene practices and contact tracing, suggesting a potential discrepancy in prioritizing response strategies.
