The continent is witnessing an “unprecedented” surge in MPOX cases since January, with 15 countries reporting outbreaks. As of Thursday, 2,030 cases and 13 deaths had been confirmed this year, compared with 1,145 cases and seven deaths in all of 2023.
Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus (commonly abbreviated as MPXV), a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.
Common symptoms include a rash or mucosal lesions that may last two to four weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, lack of energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
It can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone infected, with contaminated materials or with infected animals.
Treatment is supportive and aims to relieve symptoms. Various therapies are being developed and tested that may be effective against MPOX.
Interrupt priority transmission
According to WHO, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has the highest number (90%) of reported cases, including a new variant that emerged last September. Cases of the variant have also been reported in neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda, as well as Kenya, while cases are currently being analysed in Burundi.
Matshidiso Moeti, the agency's Regional Director for Africa, stressed that “The priority is to quickly interrupt the transmission of the virus“.
“We are working with our partners to support countries to strengthen outbreak control measures and ensure that communities are central to ongoing efforts to effectively end these outbreaks,” said Dr. Moeti.
Actions on the ground
WHO is working through country teams and experts deployed on the ground to support national authorities in strengthening key response areas, including disease surveillance, diagnostic testing and clinical care, infection prevention and control.
It is also working with health authorities to access therapies, decentralize laboratory services to improve diagnostic capabilities, and step up efforts to raise awareness about the risk of the disease among communities.
Field investigations and active case finding are also being strengthened in affected and at-risk countries, and the UN health agency is coordinating closely to improve contact tracing and mobilize financial support to help countries respond.
International risk assessment
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday called for an emergency meeting of a committee of experts to determine whether the outbreak in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
“The committee will meet as soon as possible and will be composed of independent experts from a range of relevant disciplines from around the world,” he said, speaking in Geneva.
