Congo Reports Over 1,000 New Mpox Cases in a Week

Congo Reports Over 1,000 New Mpox Cases in a Week

Congo has reported over 1,000 new mpox cases in the past week, intensifying the urgent need for vaccines in Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled the outbreaks in Africa as a global emergency.

Mpox, related to smallpox, causes milder symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches, and spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity. Severe cases can result in painful lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals.

Congo, which has been hit hardest by the current outbreaks, has recorded the majority of Africa’s mpox cases this year. Of the 18,910 cases reported in 2024, Congo alone accounts for about 94%, with 535 of the 541 reported deaths. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) indicates that testing is limited, suggesting these numbers may be an underestimate.

In the past week, Congo has documented 1,030 of the 1,405 new mpox cases reported across Africa. Only 16% of these cases have been confirmed by testing. The recent identification of a potentially more transmissible variant in Congo has heightened concerns, prompting the WHO to declare a global health emergency. This declaration aims to spur international donations of vaccines and resources.

The European Union and vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic have pledged 215,000 mpox vaccine doses to Africa, with additional donations from the United States and Japan. However, Congo’s health minister estimates that the country alone needs 3 million doses to effectively combat the outbreak.

Criticism has emerged over the global response, echoing past grievances about inequitable access to vaccines. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for fair access to mpox vaccines and diagnostics, urging the international community to support Africa adequately.

The Africa CDC’s Dr. Jean Kaseya has appealed for global solidarity, cautioning against travel bans that could further isolate affected countries. He stressed the need for substantial support to manage and contain the mpox outbreaks.

Source: Africa News