Africa to declare public health emergency over mpox as cases surge

The Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) says it is likely to declare a public health emergency of continental security (PHECS) over mpox next week.

This is because a new variant of the disease is spreading.

Mpox, formerly monkeypox, is transmitted through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Most cases are mild but it can be fatal.

The new variant, known as Clade Ib and circulating mostly in Congo, spreads through close contact, as is the case among children.

Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, said on Thursday that reported cases on the continent had risen by 79 percent from 2022-2023 and by 160 percent from 2023-24.

“This is one of the aspects that is alarming us,” he said.

“Mpox is the reality, and Africans are dying. We are taking decisive actions to protect our people. Next week, more likely, we will declare the PHECS.”

Kaseya added that he would have calls with the heads of the African Union (AU) and the African Union Commission on Tuesday to “get their blessing” and guidance to declare a public health emergency.

On July 17, the AU’s executive council approved a statute allowing Africa CDC to make independent public health decisions.

“Doing so would enable the Africa CDC to better coordinate cross-border responses and would obligate member countries to notify new cases to the continental body,” he said.

The director-general said it would also enable mobilisation of domestic and international resources and accelerate vaccine research and development.

He added that he had been in talks with executives of the German drugmaker BioNTech about raising vaccine output after the declaration.

“Public health officials have warned that without urgent action, the situation could worsen, putting even more lives at risk,” he said.

“As the continent braces for the official declaration of the PHECS, there is a growing sense of urgency to contain the outbreak.

“The declaration is expected to facilitate the rapid deployment of medical supplies, enhance the sharing of critical information, and improve the overall resilience of public health systems across Africa.

“The global community is closely monitoring these developments, recognising that Africa’s response to the Mpox outbreak will have far-reaching implications for public health security both on the continent and worldwide.”

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Africa is experiencing an unprecedented rise in cases this year.

The WHO said Congo has seen over 13,000 suspected mpox cases, including 503 deaths so far this year, taking the total number of cases there since the start of 2023 to about 27,000, with more than 1,000 deaths.

Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya have reported cases of the new variant since mid-July.