The African Union’s health agency has raised alarm over the escalating mpox epidemic, warning that it is “going out of control” unless swift action is taken. Since January, over 42,000 cases have been reported across Africa, with 1,100 deaths recorded, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The disease, previously known as monkeypox, has spread to 18 African countries this year, with Zambia and Zimbabwe recently reporting their first cases. The majority of deaths have occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, where a vaccination campaign was recently launched.
Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, emphasized the urgency of the situation during an online briefing, saying, “Mpox is going out of control if we don’t act. We now have more than 1,000 deaths, and the number of new cases is rising week after week.” He expressed concern about the rapid spread to multiple countries and called for immediate action to curb the outbreak.
Kaseya also urged international partners to release funds pledged to fight the epidemic, stressing the need for concrete measures on the ground to stop the spread of mpox.
Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted from infected animals to humans, and it can also spread through close physical contact between humans. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and large, boil-like skin lesions. In severe cases, it can be fatal.
With the epidemic continuing to spread, the Africa CDC has reiterated the need for heightened global cooperation to prevent further loss of life.