Mpox crisis: Africa's battle with rising cases and deaths
As many as 18 of the 55 African countries struggle with the mpox virus. Official statistics indicate that monkeypox has led to the deaths of over a thousand people. Unfortunately, even mass vaccinations are not improving the situation.
6:12 AM EDT, October 18, 2024
The African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that since January, a total of 42,000 monkeypox cases have been registered in Africa. Last week, mpox infections were reported for the first time in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This year, mpox has been officially detected in 18 of the 55 African countries.
"Eighteen countries is too much, we cannot continue like that. As highlighted this week, in week 40, we have reported a total of 1,100 deaths," said Jean Kaseya, head of the African CDC.
Furthermore, he called on international partners to immediately release the funds promised for the fight against the epidemic.
"Mpox will spiral out of control if we do not take action," he warned.
Monkeypox attacks: most deaths occurring there
The majority of deaths caused by mpox have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the epidemic, where a vaccination campaign began at the start of this month.
Kaseya stated that across the continent "new cases continue to arise week after week."
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a viral disease. It is transmitted from animals to humans and spreads between humans during prolonged physical contact. It causes fever, muscle aches, and skin lesions.
