In response to its increasing spread and rising deaths, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared Mpox, formerly monkeypox, a continental public health emergency.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya made the announcement on Tuesday during a “special press briefing” on the crucial steps and implications of the disease for Africa’s health security.
According to the World Health Organization, Mpox is caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, which also includes cowpox, smallpox, and vaccinia viruses, among others. The virus has two genetic clades, known as clades I and II.
The African continent is facing a serious public health crisis with the rapid spread of Mpox, a viral disease that has already claimed numerous lives.
Growing concerns
Speaking at the briefing, infectious disease clinical epidemiologist Salim Karim said there are concerns regarding the Mpox outbreak across the African region.
Mr Karim said: “The first thing is that we understand the limitations of the available evidence and the available information that we have in epidemiology. The evidence that we have on the number of cases and the number of deaths is just the tip of the iceberg.
“We have limited surveillance, limited capacity to do the necessary testing, contact tracing and reporting, so there are multiple points at play. The information we have reflects only a partial picture of what is actually happening.”
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He further stated that the situation is likely more serious than it appears given data limitations, adding that Africa is currently experiencing a high burden of mpox cases, with more than double the number of cases reported compared to 2022, when the WHO declared a public health emergency.
Mr Karim said the number of cases has increased in recent weeks, showing a worrying upward trend. In addition, the fatality rate is higher than expected, ranging between 3% and 4%, and may be related to immune deficiency due to HIV.
“This is particularly worrying in Africa, where HIV incidence is high. Overall, we are facing a rapidly evolving situation that requires careful attention and action,” he said.
Call to action
Mr Karim said that as the virus spreads to new countries, a coordinated response is needed, saying there was now cross-border transmission and the virus was moving to countries where it had not been before.
“This is worrying and we must act quickly to contain the spread,” he said.
However, CDC Director General for Africa, Mr Kaseya, said development is not just an African problem but a global threat that requires solidarity and collective action. “We have consulted with more than 600 experts, partners and stakeholders to guide our response,” he said.
Mr Kaseya said this statement is a call to action, recognising that Africa can no longer afford to be reactive.
He reiterated his commitment to leading the fight against Mpox, using his mandate to coordinate responses to public health emergencies. “We will provide treatment, protection measures and support to those who need it.
“This is a fight for all African states and we will work tirelessly to mitigate the impact of this health threat,” said the Director-General.
Background story
The Africa CDC has reported a 160 percent increase in Mpox cases on the continent in 2024 compared to the previous year.
As of 28 July, a total of 14,250 cases, including 2,745 confirmed cases and 11,505 suspected cases, and 456 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 3.2%, have been recorded in 10 African countries, including Nigeria.
Nigeria reported 24 cases with no fatalities, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo had the highest number of cases and deaths, with 13,791 cases and 450 deaths.
Other affected countries include Burundi, with eight cases and no deaths; Cameroon, with 35 cases and two deaths; the Central African Republic, with 213 cases and no deaths; Congo, with 146 cases and one death; Ghana, with four cases and no deaths; Liberia, with five cases and no deaths; Rwanda, with two cases and no deaths; and South Africa, with 22 cases and three deaths.