Mpox Cases Surge by 160% in Africa, Officials Warn

Health officials in Africa have sounded the alarm as mpox cases surged by 160% in the last year, raising concerns over the lack of effective treatments and vaccines on the continent. Mpox, commonly known as monkeypox, has been detected in 10 African countries this year, including new reports from Burundi and Rwanda. The Central African Republic recently confirmed a new outbreak extending to its capital, Bangui.

Pierre Somsé, the Central African Republic's public health minister, expressed grave concern over the spreading virus. In Kenya, a traveler from Uganda was identified with mpox, prompting authorities to declare an outbreak based on that single case. Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that out of over 14,000 cases, 96% occurred in Congo. A new, potentially more transmissible strain of mpox was identified in Congo earlier this year.

The death rate from mpox in Africa stands at approximately 3%, significantly higher than the global average. Up to 70% of cases in Congo involve children under 15, who constitute 85% of the deaths. Doctors Without Borders highlighted the outbreak's threat in displaced persons camps. Efforts to curb the spread are hindered by a lack of resources. Despite the global mpox emergency in 2022, no donor funding has been allocated to Africa. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations plans a trial in Congo and other African nations to test the efficacy of post-exposure vaccination. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)