Mpox Outbreak in Africa: 15 Countries Affected, Poor Access to Treatment Worsens Fatality Rate
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a significant outbreak of mpox, also known as monkeypox, in the African region, with 15 countries affected since 2024. The reported cases of mpox in Africa have further complicated response efforts due to multiple clades, late diagnosis, and poor access to treatment.
Background
According to the WHO’s latest report, the African region has recorded 37,325 suspected cases, including 996 deaths and 6,602 confirmed cases, as of September 29, 2024. The majority of the cases have been identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The DRC faces a higher fatality rate due to late diagnosis and poor access to treatment in several health zones. Only 39 per cent of suspected cases have been tested in 2024, with a positivity rate among tested cases of around 55 per cent, the WHO warned.
Newly-Affected Country: Ghana
Ghana has recently been affected by the mpox outbreak, with a young boy being reported as the first case of the year on October 1. The patient, a boy with a history of rash, fever, and bodily pains, is under isolation with contact tracing ongoing, while sequencing is still underway to determine the clade.
Multiple Clades Adding Complexity
The region is contending with multiple clades of the virus, further complicating response efforts, the WHO emphasized. Clade Ia is circulating in the Central African Republic, while Clade Ib is present in Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, and Clade IIb is reported in Nigeria and South Africa.
Urgent Need for Enhanced Measures
The WHO highlighted the urgent need to:
- Enhance laboratory capacity
- Strengthen surveillance systems
- Improve cross-border coordination
- Focus on early detection
- Implement targeted vaccination campaigns
- Intensify public health interventions, especially in areas experiencing rising case numbers.
Conclusion
The mpox outbreak in Africa is a pressing concern, and it is essential for countries to take immediate action to address this public health emergency. The lack of access to testing and treatment in many parts of the region exacerbates the situation, making it even more challenging to contain the spread of the virus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is mpox?
A: Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which spreads through close contact. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.
Q: How many countries are affected by the mpox outbreak in Africa?
A: Fifteen countries in the African region have been affected by the mpox outbreak since 2024.
Q: What are the main challenges in responding to the outbreak?
A: Multiple clades, late diagnosis, and poor access to treatment are adding layers of complexity to the response efforts.