A viral disease called mpox has spread through several African countries, especially the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In response, the African Union’s health authority has declared a public health emergency. The United States has also provided an extra $17 million to help the continent.
Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), announced the emergency during an online media briefing. He said, “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.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called an emergency meeting to decide if the outbreak is a global concern.
The Africa CDC, based in Addis Ababa, reported over 15,000 cases of mpox and 461 deaths in 18 countries this year. The outbreak in the DRC started with a strain called Clade I, and a new variant, Clade Ib, is now spreading more easily, especially among children. While most cases are mild, the virus can be deadly. Mpox has also spread to Rwanda, Burundi, and the Central African Republic.
Kaseya stressed on the widespread impact, saying, “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.”
This declaration is the first use of the Africa CDC’s continental security power since 2022. According to Kaseya, “This declaration is not merely a formality, it is a clarion 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.” Adding further, he said Africa needs over 10 million doses of the mpox vaccine, but only around 200,000 doses are currently available. The Africa CDC is working to increase the vaccine supply quickly.
The United States is closely monitoring the virus’s spread. Vedant Patel, a spokesperson for the US State Department, said the US has provided over $17 million this year to support health efforts in central and eastern Africa. Patel added, “We’ve been collaborating with partners to build capacities to combat infectious diseases, including mpox but also HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and Ebola.”
Additionally, Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic has pledged to donate 40,000 doses of its mpox vaccine to the Africa CDC. The European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority will also procure and donate 175,420 doses, with Bavarian Nordic donating another 40,000 doses separately.
