Mpox Outbreak: WHO Declares Global Health Emergency for Africa
Spike in Cases and Geographic Spread
The mpox outbreak in Africa has reached alarming proportions, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency. Fifteen African countries have reported a total of 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths this year, a significant increase from the 1,145 cases in 2022.
The outbreak has spread to 13 countries in Africa, including Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, and Uganda. Several of these countries had never reported mpox cases before.
Increase in Response Level
On Wednesday, the WHO raised the response to the mpox outbreak in Africa to the highest level of alarm, a global health emergency. This is the first time the WHO has declared a global health emergency for mpox.
The decision was made based on the rapid spread of the disease, the increasing number of cases and deaths, and the potential for further international spread.
Call for Urgent Action
The WHO called for urgent action from countries around the world to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
The organization recommended measures such as intensifying surveillance, enhancing laboratory capacity, implementing infection prevention and control measures, and conducting targeted vaccination campaigns.
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