Africa’s top health authority has declared the outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a Public Health Emergency of Continental Concern due to a new, more transmissible strain of the virus. This outbreak marks a significant threat beyond the African continent, with cases now reported in several neighboring countries. The disease, which causes rashes, bodily lesions, and flu-like symptoms, has seen a tripling of cases in Africa compared to the previous year. The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering raising its highest level of alert in response to the escalating situation.
- Africa’s top Public Health body has declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Concern due to a new, more transmissible strain.
- Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is transmitted through close contact and causes rashes, bodily lesions, and flu-like symptoms.
- First detected in humans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1970s, the disease has now spread to neighboring countries including Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.
- In 2022, a milder strain of mpox spread to over 100 countries, prompting the World Health Organization to issue its highest alert.
- The number of cases in Africa has more than tripled compared to when the WHO declared an emergency in 2022, with over 38,000 cases and over 1,400 deaths reported since January 2022.
- The WHO’s emergency committee is considering whether to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
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