Africa is facing a surge in Mpox cases, particularly in Central and Eastern regions, prompting a response from the continent’s main public health agency. The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention plans to distribute 10 million Mpox vaccines across the continent, despite concerns about a new variant. Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo have already secured vaccine doses from the US and Japan, targeting healthcare workers and children, respectively. This initiative comes as the World Health Organization declared Mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years.
The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention aims to make 10 million Mpox vaccines available in Africa.
The World Health Organization has declared Mpox a global public health emergency due to a new variant.
Reported Mpox cases are on the rise in Central and Eastern Africa, including Burundi, the DRC, and the Central African Republic.
Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo have secured vaccines from the US and Japan, focusing on healthcare workers and children. Nigeria is expecting 10,000 doses, while the DRC is expecting 50,000 from the US and 3.5 million from Japan.
The Africa CDC’s plan faces challenges, such as delivering doses to conflict-affected regions in Eastern DRC.
Local manufacturing of vaccines is being explored in partnership with a Danish manufacturer to increase supply and reduce costs.
The new strain of Mpox, known as “clade 1B,” is transmitting rapidly and has a high death rate, particularly among children.
Preventive measures for travelers include avoiding close physical contact in areas with ongoing transmission and considering vaccination for those in high-risk groups.
Lessons from previous epidemics, such as Ebola and COVID-19, emphasize the importance of respecting and listening to affected communities to effectively manage outbreaks.
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