Mpox Cases in Africa Near 30,000

Addis Ababa — The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) revealed that the number of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases in Africa has reached 29,152, with 6,105 confirmed cases and 738 deaths since the beginning of 2024.

John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC, shared in an online briefing on Thursday evening (Sept. 19) that the continent had recorded 2,912 new cases in the past week alone, with 374 confirmed cases and 14 deaths. This brings the total number of cases for this year to 29,152.

Nkengasong noted that infections have been reported in 15 African countries across all five regions of the continent. He highlighted that cross-border travel, malnutrition, and unsafe sexual practices are key risk factors contributing to the spread of Mpox.

The Africa CDC declared the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency in mid-August. Shortly after, the World Health Organization (WHO) also declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern, marking the second global emergency declaration related to Mpox in two years.

Recently, the Africa CDC announced the launch of a six-month continental response plan in collaboration with WHO, covering the period from September 2024 to February 2025. The plan has a budget of nearly USD 600 million (approximately THB 19.7 billion), with 55% of the funds allocated to Mpox-affected countries and the remaining 45% to operational and technical support through partner organizations.

Mpox was first identified in 1958 in laboratory monkeys and is believed to spread from wild animals, such as rodents, to humans, or through human-to-human transmission. It is a rare viral infection transmitted through bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials, leading to symptoms like fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.

Source: Xinhua