Africa's Emerging Health Crisis: Mpox Spread Calls for Immediate Action

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the increasing spread of mpox as a health emergency. The World Health Organization may follow suit, as cases and deaths surpass last year's figures. Most cases are in Congo, with a more transmissible form of the virus. Comprehensive responses and resources are needed to contain the outbreak.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared this week that the increasing spread of mpox across the continent is a health emergency, warning the virus might ultimately spill across international borders.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization is convening its own expert meeting to consider making a similar emergency declaration over mpox. The UN health agency said there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths this year, which already exceed last year's figures.

So far, more than 96 per cent of all cases and deaths are in a single country — Congo. Scientists are concerned by the spread of a new version of the disease there that might be more easily transmitted among people.

(With inputs from agencies.)