Rapid spread of Mpox in Africa causes 17 deaths
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the alarm over the rising spread of Mpox in Africa.
According to Africa News via Reuters on October 31, 17 countries have reported ongoing transmission, and between 14 September and 19 October, the agency documented 2,862 confirmed cases and 17 deaths.
Mpox, the virus also known as Monkeypox, has not only reached Africa but has spread globally to places it has never reached before, such as Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
Although the virus has a low fatality rate, the spread across many countries has raised serious concerns. Furthermore, under-reported transmission makes it difficult to know how quickly it is spreading.
This issue is prevalent as many countries are underfunded in the health sector. Nigeria alone has lost over $600 million in health sector funding, which is the equivalent of over one-fifth of its annual health budget.
The WHO’s latest report emphasises the pressing need for heightened surveillance, enhanced vaccine access and stronger infection control to prevent the disease from spreading.
The global community is also observing as the virus spreads quietly but consistently, stating that containment is possible, but only if efforts are efficiently coordinated.
In September 2024, Morocco documented its very first case of Mpox in Marrakech after a man contracted the virus.
WHO subsequently declared the outbreak of the disease a public health emergency of international concern after the case was identified as a new variant of the virus.
In December 2024, a Moroccan company also produced the first African Mpox test. Moldiag, a start-up, sought to reduce the continent’s reliance on medical imports. During production, Moldiag were receiving pre-orders from several African countries affected by the virus.
During the same year, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 59,000 Mpox cases and 1,164 deaths.
The ongoing Mpox outbreak is severe, and without crucial preventive measures, the rise in cases will continue.
Africa News Via Reuters, Maghrebi.org
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