Tuesday, August 13, 2024 -The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially declared mpox a "public health emergency of continental security."
This alarming declaration comes in
response to the rapid spread of a new variant of the virus, known as Clade Ib,
which has already resulted in over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths across the
Democratic Republic of Congo since the beginning of the year.
Mpox, a viral disease transmitted
through close contact, typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled
lesions. While many cases are mild, the virus can be fatal, particularly with
the more easily transmissible Clade Ib variant, which appears to spread quickly
through routine close contact, including among children.
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the
Africa CDC, announced the health emergency during an online briefing on
Tuesday. He expressed deep concern over the virus's impact on the continent,
stating, "With a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our
people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as a 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."
The virus has also spread to several
other African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda, prompting the
Africa CDC to take urgent measures to combat its further spread and mitigate
the impact on public health across the continent.
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