BTN News: As the mpox outbreak escalates across Africa, the urgency to address this public health crisis has never been more critical. Since January 1st, 2024, nearly 21,500 cases of mpox—formerly known as monkeypox—have been recorded across thirteen African countries, leading to 591 tragic deaths. These figures, released by the African Union’s health agency, highlight the dire situation on the continent, where the spread of this infectious disease is far from under control. The mpox virus, which can cause painful skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes, has emerged as a significant health threat, particularly with the rise of a new variant that is proving to be more lethal and contagious than previous strains. The widespread lack of resources and limited access to vaccines have placed African nations at a considerable disadvantage in the fight against mpox, raising concerns about the continent’s preparedness to contain the outbreak and protect its population.
In the detailed report provided by Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), it was revealed that between January and mid-August, 21,466 mpox cases were identified, of which 3,350 were confirmed, and 18,116 were classified as suspected. The affected countries include Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. The current death toll stands at 591, corresponding to a case fatality rate of 2.9%, a figure that underscores the severity of this outbreak.
Kaseya’s communication with African health ministers shed light on the many challenges the continent faces in combating mpox. He pointed out that only three African countries—Nigeria, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—have approved the use of mpox vaccines. This limited approval is a significant bottleneck in the region’s response efforts, as widespread vaccination is crucial to curbing the spread of the virus. Kaseya emphasized the importance of other African nations following suit in approving and distributing the vaccines. He warned that the increasing global demand for mpox vaccines, particularly from Western nations, combined with the monopolization of vaccine production, could further marginalize Africa, making it even harder for the continent to secure the necessary doses.
The Director General’s concerns are not unfounded. The imbalance in vaccine distribution has been a persistent issue in global health, often leaving low-income countries at the mercy of wealthier nations that can afford to outbid them. In the case of mpox, this disparity could have devastating consequences for Africa, where the virus is spreading rapidly and the healthcare infrastructure is already overstretched. Kaseya’s plea for African leaders to unite and advocate for equitable vaccine distribution is a call to action that cannot be ignored.
Adding to the urgency, the Africa CDC declared mpox a “public health emergency of continental security” on August 13th, a designation that reflects the seriousness of the situation. The following day, the World Health Organization (WHO) elevated the crisis by declaring a global health alert, citing the rapid spread and high mortality rate of the new clade 1b variant of the mpox virus. This variant, which has shown a disturbing capacity for rapid transmission and increased virulence, has already been detected outside Africa, with the first case reported in Sweden involving a traveler returning from a heavily affected area in Africa.
The current mpox outbreak is reminiscent of the global health emergency declared in 2022 due to the clade 2 variant, which caused widespread concern and numerous cases in Europe, North America, and other regions. However, the new clade 1b variant poses an even greater threat, particularly to African countries, where healthcare systems are less equipped to handle a surge in cases.
The situation in Africa calls for immediate and coordinated international support. The continent’s leaders must urgently work together to secure vaccine supplies and enhance their public health response. The international community also has a crucial role to play in ensuring that Africa is not left behind in the global fight against mpox. Failure to do so could lead to an even more severe health crisis, with consequences that extend far beyond the continent’s borders. The time to act is now, before the outbreak spirals further out of control, threatening millions of lives across Africa and beyond.
