The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has sounded the alarm over the rapidly increasing mpox cases and deaths on the continent. Despite the launch of a continental response plan, Africa recorded 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases in just one week.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, described the situation as “unacceptable” and emphasized the need for enhanced cross-border surveillance. He noted that not enough testing is being done, and called for increased resources to support testing.
The mpox virus has claimed 724 lives and infected 5,731 people in Africa since the beginning of the year. The continent is in dire need of vaccines, with only 250,000 doses delivered so far, and an estimated 3 million doses needed to combat the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak.
The Africa CDC and WHO have launched a $600 million response plan, focusing on surveillance, laboratory testing, and community engagement. However, the vaccine rollout is slow, and the recommended two-dose course may not be enough to combat the spreading outbreak.
Vanguard.
