The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC have declared a global health emergency over the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A new strain of mpox is spreading rapidly, causing concern among health authorities due to its high case fatality rate. The WHO has allocated funds and called for international cooperation to stop the outbreaks.
More than 14,000 mpox cases and 524 deaths have been reported across 13 African countries in 2024, with concerns that the actual numbers are higher due to limited testing. The Africa CDC has declared mpox a continental public health emergency, prompting a coordinated response to combat the virus.
European authorities have pledged to send over 175,000 vaccines to the Africa CDC to help with vaccination efforts in the region. The Africa CDC estimates that at least 2 million vaccines will be needed to address the outbreak. Prioritization will be given to high-risk groups, such as those with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, and children.
This marks the second global health emergency declaration related to mpox in recent years. The WHO declared a PHEIC in 2022, which led to a global response to contain the virus. The current outbreak in Africa is linked to a new strain of the virus with higher mortality rates, underscoring the urgent need for international collaboration to prevent further spread.
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