Africa CDC Reports Nearly 60,000 Mpox Cases Across 20 Countries in 2023
As of November 30, 2023, mpox cases in Africa have surpassed 59,200 across 20 countries, with the vast majority concentrated in Central Africa. The death toll exceeds 1,164, and recent weeks have seen sharp increases in new infections. The Africa CDC has declared a public health emergency, alongside the WHO, as cases emerge in countries beyond Africa, including the United States and Canada.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported a staggering 59,220 mpox cases across 20 countries in Africa as of November 30, 2023. This year has seen a notable increase in confirmed infections, with 12,938 categorized as confirmed cases and a reported death toll exceeding 1,164, resulting in a case fatality rate close to 2%. Last week alone, the continent documented 2,680 new cases – comprising 492 confirmed instances – alongside 22 additional deaths.
According to Ngashi Ngongo, Chief of Staff at Africa CDC, the majority of new cases were concentrated in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. Angola has recently reported its first confirmed mpox case on November 16, joining the ranks of affected nations. The CDC has highlighted a staggering 600% increase in confirmed mpox cases this year compared to last year. Notably, Central Africa remains the epicenter of this outbreak, accounting for over 93% of the confirmed cases and nearly all reported deaths.
In a significant move, the Africa CDC declared the ongoing mpox situation in Africa a public health emergency of continental security in mid-August 2023. The World Health Organization followed suit shortly after by declaring mpox a public health emergency of international concern. This situation has reached a point where both the United States and Canada reported their first new cases linked to travel from Africa in November. Mpox, initially identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958, is primarily transmitted through bodily fluids and contaminated materials. The disease typically manifests with symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox, also identified as monkeypox, has become a growing concern in Africa, with the Africa CDC monitoring a substantial rise in cases since the onset of 2023. The disease was originally described in laboratory monkeys and is characterized by its transmission patterns, typically through human contacts via respiratory droplets and bodily fluids. The ongoing outbreak is particularly severe in Central Africa, which has shown alarming rates of infection and mortality. Both the Africa CDC and WHO have recognized the urgency of this outbreak, prompting declarations of public health emergencies to facilitate coordinated containment efforts.
The escalation of mpox cases across African nations to over 59,200 underscores a critical public health challenge, particularly in Central Africa, where the most severe impacts are felt. The proactive measures taken by health authorities, including emergency declarations from regional and international bodies, highlight the global urgency to address this viral outbreak. Continued monitoring and preventive strategies will be essential to mitigate future risks and protect public health.
Original Source: english.news.cn
