There have been growing concerns over the recent outbreak of Mpox in Central Africa and neighbouring countries, with a new variant (Clade1b), which experts have described as more deadly and highly contagious, spreading beyond Central Africa and even to Europe and The Middle East, according to recent reports.
Here, we bring the latest updates about the spread of Mpox.
At least 12 countries in Africa have reported mpox outbreaks so far, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported in an official statement.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) emergency committee convened on Wednesday and announced that mpox had been deemed a public health emergency of international concern. This designation represents the highest level of alert under international health regulations, as stated by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, during a press conference.
- The African CDC has declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
- The African Union allocated $10.4 million to help support public health efforts to slow the spread of Mpox.
- Officials in Pakistan said they had confirmed a mpox case and are investigating whether the variant is the same one linked to a growing outbreak in Central Africa and its environs.
- Sweden reported its first case of mpox infection caused by the clade I variant, making it the first country outside of Africa to do so. Officials emphasized that the risk to the general population is “very low” and that the infected person had contracted the virus during a stay in the region.
- So far, according to official reports, there have been 2,863 mpox cases and 517 deaths in 2024. Most deaths and cases are mainly in the DRC.
Mpox, previously called MonkeypoxMonkeypox, is a viral infection resulting from exposure to the monkeypox virus. This virus is part of a larger group of viruses that are known to cause illnesses in both humans and animals. This viral family includes smallpox (variola), cowpox, Alaskapox, and vaccinia. The latter is a weakened form used in both mpox and smallpox vaccines.
Who Should Get The Mpox Vaccine?
- Most countries consider the chances of a widespread mpox outbreak very low, leading to limited endorsement of widespread vaccination.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises getting vaccinated for mpox, especially if you’re in one of the at-risk groups identified during the Mpox outbreak in 2022. Even though cases have dropped, it’s important to be aware of the circulating virus variant.
Who Are The “At-risk Groups”?
- This includes gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse individuals. This is particularly relevant for those who have multiple sex partners, engage in sexual activities at commercial venues such as clubs or saunas, and have received a new diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or syphilis in the last six months.
- If you work in a laboratory or healthcare setting, it’s crucial to get vaccinated due to the occupational risk of exposure. It’s also recommended for individuals who have had intimate contact or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with mpox.
General Prevention For Those In Africa
As vaccination efforts in Africa have not looked too promising lately due to struggles to secure the right amount of vaccine doses to cover vaccination and poor data collection and surveillance techniques, Africans need to keep themselves safe by:
- Following safe sexual practices,
- Ensuring proper hand hygiene at all times,
- Staying far away from animals found in the wild and
- Cooking bush meat thoroughly.
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