Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is set to declare a public health emergency of continental significance (PHECS) over the surge in mpox cases, with a new variant spreading rapidly across the continent.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, and can be fatal.
Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, expressed alarm over the 79% rise in reported cases from 2022-2023 and 160% from 2023-2024. “Mpox is the reality, and Africans are dying. We are taking decisive actions to protect our people. Next week, more likely, we will declare the PHECS.”
Kaseya will seek approval from the African Union (AU) and African Union Commission heads before making the declaration, which will enable better coordination of cross-border responses, notification of new cases, and mobilization of resources.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an unprecedented rise in mpox cases in Africa, with Congo experiencing over 13,000 suspected cases and 503 deaths this year. Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya have also reported cases of the new variant.
The declaration is expected to facilitate rapid deployment of medical supplies, enhance information sharing, and improve public health systems’ resilience across Africa. The global community is closely monitoring the situation, recognising the far-reaching implications for public health security.
