Chickenpox outbreak declared public health emergency in Africa – DW – August 14, 2024

African Union health officials have declared a public health emergency in response to the MPOX outbreak on the continent.

“It is with heavy hearts but with unwavering commitment to our people, our African citizens, that we declare MPOX. [a] “This is a public health emergency that has implications for the security of the continent,” Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said in an online press conference on Tuesday.

The World Health Organization has convened an emergency committee to discuss the outbreak and is expected to decide on Wednesday whether it constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

MPOX epidemic expands in Africa

The Addis Ababa-based Africa CDC reports that more than 15,000 MPOX cases and 461 deaths have been reported in 18 African countries so far this year.

The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began with the spread of the endemic lineage, clade I. A new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through close casual contact, especially among children. Although most cases are mild, the virus can be fatal.

It has also spread to several other African countries, including neighboring Rwanda, Burundi and the Central African Republic.

“Muslim smallpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across the continent, ripping families apart and causing pain and suffering to every corner of the continent,” Kaseya said.

The declaration marks the first time the UN has exercised the continental security powers it has enjoyed since 2022. The declaration is expected to help mobilize funds and resources in all efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

“This declaration is not just a formality, it is a clarion call to action. It is a recognition that we can no longer afford to be passive. We must work proactively and aggressively to contain and eliminate this threat,” Kaseya said.

USA tracks MPOX expansion

Kaseya said the continent needs more than 10 million doses of the vaccine but only about 200,000 are currently available, and vowed the agency would work quickly to increase vaccine supplies.

The United States has been closely tracking the spread of the virus.

State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said the United States had provided more than $17 million (around 15.4 million euros) this year to help fight the virus in Central and East Africa, on top of its regular medical assistance.

“We have worked with partners to build capacity to fight not only measles but also infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and Ebola,” Patel added.

Danish biotech company Bayern Nordic also pledged on Tuesday to donate 40,000 doses of its MPOX vaccine to the Africa CDC.

Bavarian Nordic said the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Agency had procured 175,420 doses of the vaccine and would donate them to African health organisations, adding that a further 40,000 doses would be donated separately.

rmt/lo (AFP, Reuters)

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