Muthomi Ireri
The African Union’s health authority declared a public health emergency on Tuesday in response to a growing outbreak of mpox, which has been spreading rapidly since July.
In an online briefing, Jean Kaseya, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), urged for immediate and robust action to address the outbreak.
According to Africa CDC data as of August 4, Africa has reported 38,465 cases of mpox and 1,456 deaths since January 2022. The outbreak has heavily affected several African nations, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and nearly all East and Central African countries have now confirmed cases.
Mpox, transmitted through close contact, presents symptoms such as rashes, flu-like symptoms, and pus-filled sores. While most cases are mild, there have been confirmed fatalities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also announced on Tuesday that its emergency committee would convene on Wednesday to consider whether to declare the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Dj Vnyash
Silverio Omari
