On Tuesday (August 13th) local time, the highest public health institution in Africa announced that due to the rapid spread of monkeypox on the African continent, more than ten countries have been affected, and therefore the monkeypox epidemic has been classified as a Public Health Emergency (PHEIC) that threatens the security of the African continent.
Jean Caseia, Director of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a press conference on the same day, "We declare a state of emergency in Africa today to mobilize our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to take swift and decisive action
Kaseya warns that if control measures are not taken soon, this epidemic may spiral out of control. Today's announcement is not just a formality, but a call to action. It is also a recognition that we cannot passively bear the cost all the time, and we must actively contain and eliminate this threat
The monkeypox epidemic is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, and patients may experience symptoms such as rash or mucosal lesions, fever, headache, systemic pain, and lymph node enlargement. The interpersonal transmission of monkeypox can occur through direct contact with infected skin or other affected areas. The disease can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets. Most infected individuals will recover within a few weeks, but there are also cases of severe illness or even death.
In fact, since May 2022, more than 100 countries and regions around the world have reported cases of monkeypox, mainly transmitted among male homosexuals. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkeypox outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern" in July of the same year, which was not lifted until May 2023.
But now, the monkeypox virus currently circulating in Africa has mutated, and this new strain known as "branch Ib" is more likely to spread through daily close contact, especially among children.
Currently, at least 16 countries in Africa are affected by monkeypox; Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of reported monkeypox cases in Africa this year has increased by 160%.
According to statistics, in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone, over 12300 people have been infected with monkeypox virus this year, and about 500 people have died from the epidemic. It is worth noting that nearly 70% of the cases in Congo are children under the age of 15, who also account for 85% of the deaths.
Kaseya pointed out that the African continent needs over 10 million doses of vaccines, but currently only about 200000 doses are available. He promised that the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention would rapidly increase the supply of vaccines to African countries. Kaseya added that there is a clear plan to provide Africa with over 10 million doses of vaccines, but he did not disclose the source of the vaccines.
At the same time, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently announced that due to the rapid spread of a more deadly strain of monkeypox in Africa, consideration is being given to whether to list the monkeypox outbreak as an international public health emergency of concern.