Health Alert: New Strain of Monkeypox Virus Causes Declaration of Public Health Emergency in Africa

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has been officially declared a public health emergency in Africa by the continent’s foremost health organization. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) issued the warning due to the alarming spread of a new, more virulent strain of the virus.

As of early August, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths since the start of the year. The disease has also spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya, and Rwanda.

The public health emergency declaration is intended to enhance coordination among governments and facilitate the distribution of medical supplies and aid to affected regions. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “This declaration is not merely a formality. It is a clarion call to action. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat.”

International health organizations are also closely monitoring the outbreak. On July 29, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control assessed the risk of mpox spreading to Europe as “very low.”

Mpox is transmitted from animals to humans and can spread between people through close contact, including sexual contact, skin-to-skin interaction, and proximity during conversation. The disease manifests with symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and widespread lesions. If untreated, it can be fatal.

There are two main strains of mpox: the milder strain that caused the global outbreak in 2022, primarily spread through sexual contact, and a more severe strain endemic to central Africa, which is responsible for the current outbreak in the DRC.

Three vaccines are available, but they are typically administered only to those at risk or in close contact with infected individuals. Dr. Kaseya announced plans to secure approximately 10 million vaccine doses to curb the disease’s spread across Africa.