Africa CDC and WHO Declare Mpox Emergencies as DRC Reports 14,000 Cases

Aug 14, 2024, 05:58 PM

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared a public health emergency of continental security due to an outbreak of mpox, which has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries. As of early August, there have been 38,465 cases and 1,456 deaths reported in Africa. In 2024 alone, there have been 17,500 cases and 460 deaths. The outbreak has affected 18 countries, with at least 24 cases in South Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared mpox a global health emergency, marking the second time in two years that such a declaration has been made. The outbreak is particularly severe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been reported this year. The WHO's declaration aims to mobilize international resources to contain the spread of the virus.