Summary
The mpox outbreak in Africa has escalated dramatically, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reporting over 32,000 suspected cases and 840 deaths this year alone. The situation has prompted significant international financial pledges to combat the disease, as the continent grapples with rising cases and the emergence of new variants.
In recent weeks, the Africa CDC highlighted a troubling increase in mpox-related fatalities, with 107 deaths recorded in just one week, underscoring the urgency of the health crisis. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the agency’s director-general, emphasized the need for enhanced cross-border surveillance and increased testing resources. The outbreak has predominantly affected men, with a positivity rate of 63%, while children under 15 have a rate of 41%. The health agency has received over $800 million in pledges to bolster its response efforts, with significant contributions from the United States and other partners aimed at vaccine distribution and outbreak management.
Emergence of New Variants
The situation is further complicated by the detection of a new, more infectious variant of the mpox virus in Germany, which was confirmed to have originated from abroad. This variant raises concerns about the virus’s potential to spread more easily, adding to the urgency of the response efforts. As the World Health Organization has declared the mpox situation in Africa a global health emergency, the continent continues to experience outbreaks in 18 of its 55 countries, with the Democratic Republic of Congo being the most affected.
Global Response and Funding
The Africa CDC’s funding strategy includes a mix of contributions from member states and international partners, aiming to secure necessary resources for vaccination and treatment. With more than 10 million vaccine doses needed to control the outbreak, the agency has managed to obtain 4.3 million doses so far. Collaborative efforts are underway to redistribute funding effectively to ensure that all affected and high-risk countries receive adequate support.
Germany's disease control center reports 1st case of new mpox variant
Oct. 22 / Abc News / Reports on the emergence of a new, more infectious mpox variant in Germany, adding a global dimension to the crisis and illustrating the interconnectedness of health threats across borders. “ BERLIN -- Germany's disease control center said Tuesday that a new, more infectious variant of the mpox virus has been detected in Germany for the first...
More Than $800 Million Pledged for Mpox Response, African CDC Says
Sep. 26 / Usnews / Highlights the substantial financial commitments made to combat the mpox outbreak, emphasizing the Africa CDC's funding strategies and the role of international partners, particularly the U.S., in vaccine distribution. “ DAKAR (Reuters) - Over $800 million has been pledged to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention for its fight against a surging mpox outbreak...
Mpox deaths rise by 107 in one week, Africa CDC calls toll unacceptable
Sep. 13 / Business Standard / Focuses on the alarming rise in mpox-related deaths, capturing the urgency of the situation and the need for improved surveillance and testing, while providing a stark reminder of the outbreak's human cost. “ African countries recorded more than 100 mpox-related deaths in the past week, the continental health body said Thursday as it described the rising toll as...