The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared mpox a public health emergency of continental security.
In a virtual press briefing, Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya announced the declaration, emphasizing the organization’s unwavering commitment to African citizens.
“With a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as public health emergency of continental security,” Jean Kaseya said.
“Mpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across our continent, families have been torn apart and the pain and suffering have touched every corner of our continent.”
Professor Salim Abdool Karim, a member of the Africa CDC’s expert committee, noted that current mpox cases in Africa significantly surpass the numbers reported during the World Health Organization’s declaration of an international public health emergency (PHEIC) from July 2022 to May 2023.
The committee’s decision was based on a comprehensive evaluation of various criteria, including the emergence of new cases in previously unaffected countries and evidence suggesting primarily human-to-human transmission.
Diagnostic challenges, particularly in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, where laboratory results are lacking for over half of reported cases, have also contributed to the crisis. Vaccine availability and effective administration remain additional hurdles.
According to the World Health Organization, at least 15 countries have reported mpox outbreaks, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for the majority of cases.
As of this year, over 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths have been reported, exceeding the total number of cases and deaths recorded in 2023.
The World Health Organization’s emergency committee meets on 14 August to decide whether to trigger a public health emergency of international concern.
