On Tuesday, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it has classified Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, as a public health emergency affecting the entire continent.
This decision was made due to the rapidly increasing number of cases and the rising death toll in several African countries.
Jean Kaseya, the Director General of Africa CDC, made this declaration during a “special press briefing” focused on significant measures and the consequences of the disease for health security across Africa.
Mpox is a viral illness characterized by flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches, which are typically followed by a rash that begins as raised bumps before evolving into fluid-filled blisters that eventually form scabs.
As noted by the World Health Organization, Mpox originates from the monkeypox virus, a double-stranded DNA virus categorized under the Orthopoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family, which also includes variola, cowpox, vaccinia, and other related viruses. The virus features two distinct genetic clades, referred to as clades I and II.
Reasons for the Emergency Declaration
There has been an unprecedented rise in the number of reported cases in Africa, with figures increasing by 79 percent from 2022 to 2023 and an astounding 160 percent from 2023 to 2024. Between early 2022 and July 28, 2024, Nigeria and 14 other African countries have collectively reported 37,583 mpox cases and 1,451 fatalities, translating to a case fatality rate of 3.9 percent.
In 2023 alone, 14,957 cases and 739 deaths (CFR: 4.9 percent) were recorded across seven nations, marking a 78.5 percent surge in new cases compared to the previous year.
The current outbreak has particularly affected several countries, most notably the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A new variant, clade Ib, has emerged from clade I, detected in the eastern DRC and confirmed in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Scientists believe this new strain is contributing to the ongoing spread.
Traditionally, clade I has been transmitted through the consumption of infected bushmeat. In contrast, clade Ib is spreading primarily through person-to-person contact, often via sexual interactions, as well as through physical contact and contaminated linens.
Other virus variants continue to circulate. The DRC is also reporting cases of clade Ia, while clade II has been documented in countries including Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, and South Africa, according to WHO findings.
Should There Be Concern?
In justifying the emergency declaration for Mpox, Kaseya remarked, “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.”
Kaseya emphasized that the declaration is not a mere technicality but a powerful call to action. “ It is a recognition that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat,” he stated.
Transmission and Infected Populations
The virus is spreading across borders as infected individuals travel, and it has been observed that Mpox is also prevalent within sexual networks, with sex workers initially comprising a significant portion of those infected.
Are Vaccines Available?
While two vaccines exist, access issues remain. The Africa CDC has indicated a need for 10 million doses, but only 200,000 are currently available. Additionally, a lack of available treatments and diagnostic tools is hindering the response effort.
Vaccination plans are under consideration, likely focusing on tracing and immunizing individuals in close contact with cases and targeting vulnerable groups, such as those living with HIV, who seem to be at a higher risk of severe outcomes.
The WHO has activated an emergency use listing for Mpox vaccines and has called for expressions of interest to expedite the availability of unlicensed medical products through an emergency use authorization process.
Currently, two vaccines are recommended for use against Mpox, both approved by the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization.
