World Health Organisation sounds alarm for rapid Monkeypox outbreaks
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Health is paramount for all of us, especially now that we are all enjoying life outdoors again.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned world leaders about an outbreak happening in Africa and declared it a global health emergency.
This announcement caused concern among global health experts and prompted calls for international assistance to contain its transmission.
Monkeypox—also known as Mpox—has been around for decades and is contained within central and west African nations.
However, recent outbreaks in the region showed a worrying trend, as Mpox cases and deaths surged significantly.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths.
This marked a 160 per cent increase in cases and a 19 per cent rise in deaths compared to last year.
'We are now in a situation where Mpox poses a risk to many more neighbours in and around central Africa,' Africa CDC Emergency Group Chair Salim Abdool Karim stated.
The Mpox has been detected in 13 countries, with 96 per cent of confirmed cases and deaths coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cases in the said country had a mortality rate of approximately three to four per cent.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Mpox outbreak—which affected over 70 countries—observed a one per cent death rate.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his concern regarding the outbreak.
'This is something that should concern us all. The potential for further spread beyond Africa and beyond is very worrying,' he shared.
Children under the age of 15 are particularly vulnerable to the outbreak, as they accounted for nearly 70 per cent of Mpox cases and 85 per cent of deaths in Congo.
The spread of Mpox in refugee camps in the conflict-ridden parts of Congo also raised additional concerns for epidemiologists.
Health systems strained by other diseases, such as malnutrition, measles, and cholera, are struggling to cope with the added burden of Mpox.
'The worst case I've seen is that of a six-week-old baby who was just two weeks old when he contracted Mpox,' epidemiologist Jacques Alonda shared.
'He got infected because hospital overcrowding meant he and his mother were forced to share a room with someone undiagnosed, yet had the virus.'
Mpox symptoms usually present themselves as lesions in commonly found areas such as the chest, hands, and feet.
However, this new form of Mpox has milder symptoms and lesions found on the genitals, making it harder to detect.
This also increases the risk of transmission through close contact.
In response to the crisis, Congolese authorities have requested four million doses of Mpox vaccines.
The United States and Japan are ready to provide support for the region.
According to Congo's Monkeypox Response Committee Coordinator, Cris Kacita Osako, these vaccines will be used for children and minors under 18.
The WHO's emergency declaration is intended to mobilise donor agencies and countries to take action.
However, the global response to such declarations has been inconsistent in the past.
Experts like Dr Boghuma Titanji from Emory University emphasised that a decisive and effective response will require more than just an emergency declaration.
It will need a concerted effort to provide diagnostic tests, medicines, vaccines, and support to the affected regions.
What are your thoughts on this WHO declaration? How should the international community respond to such outbreaks? Share your insights and thoughts with us in the comments section below.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned world leaders about an outbreak happening in Africa and declared it a global health emergency.
This announcement caused concern among global health experts and prompted calls for international assistance to contain its transmission.
Monkeypox—also known as Mpox—has been around for decades and is contained within central and west African nations.
However, recent outbreaks in the region showed a worrying trend, as Mpox cases and deaths surged significantly.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths.
This marked a 160 per cent increase in cases and a 19 per cent rise in deaths compared to last year.
The World Health Organisation declared a global emergency because of a highly-fatal Monkeypox strain in Africa. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Elenarts
'We are now in a situation where Mpox poses a risk to many more neighbours in and around central Africa,' Africa CDC Emergency Group Chair Salim Abdool Karim stated.
The Mpox has been detected in 13 countries, with 96 per cent of confirmed cases and deaths coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cases in the said country had a mortality rate of approximately three to four per cent.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Mpox outbreak—which affected over 70 countries—observed a one per cent death rate.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his concern regarding the outbreak.
'This is something that should concern us all. The potential for further spread beyond Africa and beyond is very worrying,' he shared.
Children under the age of 15 are particularly vulnerable to the outbreak, as they accounted for nearly 70 per cent of Mpox cases and 85 per cent of deaths in Congo.
The spread of Mpox in refugee camps in the conflict-ridden parts of Congo also raised additional concerns for epidemiologists.
Health systems strained by other diseases, such as malnutrition, measles, and cholera, are struggling to cope with the added burden of Mpox.
'The worst case I've seen is that of a six-week-old baby who was just two weeks old when he contracted Mpox,' epidemiologist Jacques Alonda shared.
'He got infected because hospital overcrowding meant he and his mother were forced to share a room with someone undiagnosed, yet had the virus.'
Mpox symptoms usually present themselves as lesions in commonly found areas such as the chest, hands, and feet.
However, this new form of Mpox has milder symptoms and lesions found on the genitals, making it harder to detect.
This also increases the risk of transmission through close contact.
In response to the crisis, Congolese authorities have requested four million doses of Mpox vaccines.
The United States and Japan are ready to provide support for the region.
According to Congo's Monkeypox Response Committee Coordinator, Cris Kacita Osako, these vaccines will be used for children and minors under 18.
The WHO's emergency declaration is intended to mobilise donor agencies and countries to take action.
However, the global response to such declarations has been inconsistent in the past.
Experts like Dr Boghuma Titanji from Emory University emphasised that a decisive and effective response will require more than just an emergency declaration.
It will need a concerted effort to provide diagnostic tests, medicines, vaccines, and support to the affected regions.
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