African Union Declares Public Health Emergency Over Mpox Outbreak

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared a public health emergency due to the rapid spread of mpox across the continent. Since July, the number of cases has surged, prompting CDC Director Jean Kaseya to call for swift and aggressive action to combat the outbreak.

Photo credit: Al-jazeera

As of August 4, Africa has reported 38,465 mpox cases and 1,456 deaths since January 2022. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been severely affected, with nearly all east and central African countries now confirming cases.

Mpox is a highly contagious disease transmitted through close contact, causing symptoms such as rashes, flu-like symptoms, and pus-filled wounds. While most cases are mild, there have been confirmed fatalities.

Photo credit: ABC

In response to the growing crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) will convene an emergency committee on Wednesday to discuss declaring a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This declaration would mobilize global resources and coordination to address the outbreak.