Mpox Outbreak in Africa: A Growing Concern”
The Africa CDC has declared mpox a public health emergency, warning of a rapidly escalating outbreak that is threatening the lives of thousands of people across the continent.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared mpox a public health emergency, warning of a rapidly escalating outbreak that is threatening the lives of thousands of people across the continent. The declaration comes as cases of the virus, which was previously known as monkeypox, continue to surge, with a reported 2,000 cases and 30 deaths in the past month alone (1). The outbreak has been reported in several countries, including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria (2).
Causes of the Mpox Outbreak”
Experts say that a combination of factors is fueling the pox outbreak, including poverty, inequality, and poor healthcare infrastructure.”
The Africa CDC has identified several factors that are contributing to the pox outbreak, including:
- Poverty: 70% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $3.20 a day (4)
- Inequality: the continent’s wealth gap has increased significantly over the past decade, with the richest 10% of the population holding 85% of the wealth (5)
- Poor healthcare infrastructure: Sub-Saharan Africa has some of the weakest healthcare systems in the world, with a shortage of skilled health professionals and limited access to healthcare services (6)
Impact of the Mpox Outbreak on Communities
The outbreak has had a devastating impact on communities, with thousands of people forced to live in isolation due to their exposure to the virus.”
The outbreak has had a devastating impact on communities, with thousands of people forced to live in isolation due to their exposure to the virus. According to a survey conducted by the Red Cross Society of Cameroon, 80% of households in the affected areas have been impacted by the outbreak (7). The survey also found that 75% of households reported experiencing economic hardship as a result of the outbreak (8).
Recommendations for Controlling the Mpox Outbreak”
The Africa CDC recommends the following measures to control the outbreak:
To address the mpox outbreak, the Africa CDC recommends the following measures:
- Immediate deployment of testing kits and vaccine supplies to affected areas
- Enhanced surveillance and case investigation to identify and isolate infected individuals
- Improved hygiene and sanitation practices to reduce the spread of the virus
- Increased funding and technical support to affected countries to strengthen their healthcare systems
Conclusion:
The declaration of mpox as a public health emergency is a critical step in the response to the outbreak. The Africa CDC and partners must continue to work together to support affected countries and prevent the spread of the virus.
