Africa CDC, Led by Jean Kaseya, Declares Mpox Emergency in 16 Countries

Aug 12, 2024, 03:28 PM

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), led by Director-General Jean Kaseya, has declared a public health emergency of continental security due to a rapidly spreading mpox outbreak. This marks the first time the agency has made such a declaration. The outbreak, originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has now spread to 16 African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The DRC accounts for 96.3% of all mpox cases and 97% of deaths reported this year. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also considering declaring mpox a public health emergency of international concern, with a meeting scheduled for August 14. The outbreak has seen 38,465 cases and 1,456 deaths in Africa since the beginning of the year. The spread of a potentially deadlier strain of the virus has prompted global health authorities to prioritize vaccine distribution and response strategies. At least 24 people in South Africa are infected with the virus.