The outbreak of Mpox, formerly Monkey pox, has been declared a public emergency. The declaration was made by the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This follows the report of outbreak of the disease in different countries around the continent of Africa.
The head, Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya in an online media briefing on Tuesday, stated that there was need for urgent action.
He said, “I declare with a heavy heart, but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as public health emergency of continental security.
“Mpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across our continent, families have been torn apart and the pain and suffering have touched every corner of our continent.”
According to CDC data, as of August 4, there had been 38,465 cases of mpox and 1,456 deaths in Africa since January 2022. Mr. Kaseya impressed it on authorities in the continent to take the statement with as much seriousness that it deserves, saying, “This declaration is not merely a formality; it is a clarion call to action. It is a recognition that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat.”
Mpox spreads from animals to humans and between people through close contact with someone who is infected – including through sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person.
The disease can be dangerous for children, pregnant women and those with suppressed immune systems.
The infection, which jumps between people through close contact, can cause symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and lesions across the body.