WHO takes action against Mpox virus as cases increase in Africa
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization’s chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called a “emergency” meeting of international experts as instances of the most serious Mpox virus type increased in African countries.
According to reports, this variation is highly contagious, allowing it to spread quickly among humans, which has WHO scientists concerned.
At a news event in Geneva on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that an expert will evaluate if the epidemic is a global emergency.
Tedros stated that WHO has disbursed $1 million from its emergency fund to assist in addressing the mpox outbrek.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that mpox, or monkeypox, has been identified in 10 African nations this year, with DR Congo accounting for over 96% of all cases and fatalities.
According to the Africa CDC, nearly 70% of the cases in Congo are among children aged 15 and younger, and these children make up 85% of the deaths.
Mpox cases were reported for the first time last week in Burundi and Rwanda, with additional cases also identified in Kenya and the Central African Republic
Scientists warned earlier this year that a new, more deadly strain of mpox had emerged in a Congolese mining village, and that it may kill up to 10% of those affected.
There are concerns that this variation will spread more freely among individuals.
Mpox is spread through close contact with infected individuals, including during sexual relationships.
In 2022, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global emergency because to its spread to over 70 nations, mostly affecting gay and bisexual men.
The spread of mpox has been largely restricted in Western countries because to vaccines and therapies, but these alternatives are still limited in Africa.
Maria Van Kerkhove, who runs the WHO’s outbreak department, highlighted several worrying features of Africa’s mpox issue and urged a quick response.
“We must not allow the world to simply observe and delay,” she stated. “Now is the time to act.”
