The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared the Mpox outbreak in Congo and other parts of Africa a global health emergency. With the spread of the new form of this virus and the confirmed cases in children and adults in more than 12 countries, the number of vaccines available in Africa is also very low.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Africa (Africa CDC) declared the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency. It has caused more than 500 deaths and an appeal for international assistance to stop the spread of the virus.

“This is an issue that concerns us all,”” WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.” The possibility of further spread of the virus in Africa and beyond is extremely worrying.”

Main facts:

  • Mpox spread: Mpox, formerly known as ‘monkeypox’, has been seen in 13 countries this year, according to the African CDC. More than 96% of all cases and deaths are from Congo. There has been an increase of 160% in cases and 19% in deaths compared to the previous year.
  • Death rate: The death rate of the new type of Mpox spreading from Congo is estimated to be about 3-4%. In 2022, WHO declared Mpox a global emergency when it spread to more than 70 countries.
  • Cause for comfort: Salim Abdul Karim, an infectious disease specialist for South Africa, said that the spread of Mpox has also endangered Central Africa and its neighboring countries.
  • Vaccination status: Congo has demanded 4 million vaccines, most of which will be used for children. The US and Japan have offered to give vaccines.
  • Hospital conditions: According to Save the Children, Congo’s health system is already burdened with malnutrition, measles and cholera. The health system in Congo is in a state of “shaking”.
  • Dreaddress of new cases: Recently cases of Mpox have been confirmed in four East African countries – Bunda, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, which are linked to Congo.

Opinion of experts:

  • Michael Marx said that it is appropriate to declare the outbreak of Mpox in Africa an emergency if it can get more support.
  • Dr. Dimi Ogoina has spoken of the need for strong monitoring to track the spread of Mpox.

Immediate and effective steps need to be taken to address this global health crisis.