official sources reveal over 1,000 fatalities associated with Mpox in Africa
The tally of fatalities attributable to Mpox in Africa has now surged past 1000, as per Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya. He flagged the potential for cross-border transmission and a scarcity of quick tests.
In the recent past, about 50 deaths attributed to the illness, previously known as monkeypox, were reported. The death toll in the ongoing outbreak across 18 of Africa's 55 states now stands at 1100. "We're still wrestling with this outbreak," Kaseya commented. "Our aim isn't to see every African nation impacted."
Symptoms associated with Mpox include fever, rash, lesions, and muscle soreness, which could persist for up to a month. The disease usually spreads through close proximity, and in most cases, individuals recover without medical intervention.
Kaseya warned of a potential loss of control over the situation if no immediate action was taken. He urged international collaborators to uphold their vows to bolster Africa's response to the outbreak.
Scant vaccine doses from the West
The proposed six-month strategy from Africa CDC and the WHO would require near $600 million. Around 55% of this sum is earmarked for Mpox countermeasures in 14 affected countries and preparations for the disease in 15 others.
Recently, Zambia and Zimbabwe reported Mpox instances. Kenya confirmed its first fatal case linked to the illness, and a prisoner in Uganda was found to have contracted it, according to Africa CDC. In the Zambian case, a truck driver was infected.
Prior to 2022, Mpox had primarily propagated unnoticed in Africa. However, a global outbreak occurred in 2022, with financially prosperous nations swiftly deploying smallpox vaccines from their stockpiles, but African states received fewer doses than promised.
The WHO declared the outbreaks in Africa a global health emergency in August, with the Democratic Republic of Congo serving as the epicenter. Since the start of the year, over 42,000 infection suspects have been recorded in Africa, with 8,000 confirmed cases, according to Africa CDC data. Vaccination campaigns have commenced in Rwanda and the Congo.
The European Union, being part of the global community, has been urged by Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya to increase its support in the fight against Mpox. The scarcity of vaccine doses from the West, including the European Union, has hindered Africa's response to the outbreak.
