The Biz Reporter
New Delhi, Aug 8: The monkeypox virus, now known as mpox, is rapidly spreading across African countries, raising alarms in the global health community. Initially reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the virus has now reached Uganda and Kenya, with fears of further continental spread.
Key developments:
- WHO response: World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is considering forming an emergency committee to assess whether to declare a global health emergency.
- Funding challenges: The WHO chief noted a lack of funds to implement all necessary measures to halt the virus’s spread.
- African Union support: The African Union’s Permanent Representatives Committee has allocated $10.4 million from COVID funds to Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat the outbreak.
- Case numbers: Since the beginning of the year, nearly 14,250 cases have been reported in South Africa, with over 450 deaths. More than 96% of mpox cases are in the DRC.
- Health risks: The WHO warns that mpox can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, vision loss, and inflammation of vital organs. People with HIV and weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
- Prevention measures: Avoiding contact with infected individuals and vaccination are the primary methods for preventing mpox transmission.
As the situation evolves, health authorities are working to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond the African continent. The potential declaration of a global health emergency by the WHO could significantly impact international response efforts and resource allocation to combat this growing threat.
