Africa CDC Declares Mpox Emergency Amid 17,500 Cases, 460 Deaths

Aug 13, 2024, 09:59 PM

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared a public health emergency of continental security due to a rapidly spreading mpox outbreak. The outbreak, originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, announced the emergency amid rising cases. As of 2024, there have been 17,500 cases and 460 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also considering declaring the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The situation is exacerbated by high fatality rates, a lack of vaccines and diagnostics, and the emergence of a new mpox variant. The WHO's emergency committee is meeting to discuss the outbreak, with vaccines unlikely to reach affected areas for months.