WHO raises concerns around surge in Mpox cases across Africa
Date
6/26/2024 8:41:24 AM
(MENAFN) The World health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about a surge in mpox cases across Africa, urging intensified efforts to investigate and address the root causes of this public health threat. Rosamund Lewis, WHO's technical lead for infectious diseases, emphasized the evolving nature of the situation during a UN press briefing in Geneva.
As of 2024, over 3,100 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases have been reported globally, with approximately 600 cases in May alone from 26 countries. Lewis highlighted that Africa has now become the leading region for confirmed mpox cases, surpassing the Americas.
Specifically, South Africa has reported 13 confirmed cases of mpox attributed to the clade IIb virus variant since April, resulting in two fatalities. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with a severe outbreak of mpox linked to the clade I virus variant. In 2024 alone, the DRC has reported 9,291 clinically compatible cases and 419 deaths, with a troublingly high case fatality ratio nearing 5 percent. Children have been disproportionately affected, facing even higher mortality rates in this outbreak.
Lewis underscored that while the clade I virus has so far been contained within central Africa, its potential spread to neighboring countries and beyond poses significant concerns due to its observed lethality and the limited global immunity against mpox. This situation presents a substantial public health threat, necessitating vigilant monitoring and coordinated international efforts to prevent wider outbreaks.
The WHO's call for intensified investigations and response efforts underscores the urgency of addressing mpox outbreaks swiftly and comprehensively to mitigate further impact on vulnerable populations across Africa and potentially beyond.
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