🌍 Africa Faces Mpox Surge: Nearly 30,000 Suspected Cases in 2024
The World Health Organization (WHO) sounded the alarm 🚨 on Monday, announcing that nearly 30,000 suspected mpox cases have been reported across Africa this year. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at the epicenter, grappling with the majority of cases and running out of testing supplies.
Between January and September 15, Africa recorded 29,342 suspected and confirmed cases, along with 812 deaths. Neighboring countries like Burundi are also experiencing a spike 📈 in cases, putting additional pressure on the region's healthcare systems.
Limited testing capabilities mean many suspected cases remain unconfirmed, making it tough to grasp the full extent of the outbreak. WHO data shows that as of mid-September, the DRC had 5,399 confirmed cases, Burundi reported 564, and Nigeria 55. Other countries, including South Africa, Uganda, Liberia, and Morocco, have also seen new cases and deaths recently.
In a bid to combat the crisis, international support is rolling in. Last week, the World Bank pledged nearly $129 million 💰 to help ten African countries tackle the outbreak.
So, what's mpox? It's an illness that spreads through close contact, causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions. While rare, it can be fatal. The severity of the current situation led the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to declare mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on August 13, 2024. Just a day later, WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Africa is uniting to curb the spread, and the world is watching. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Reference(s):
WHO reports nearly 30,000 suspected mpox cases in Africa this year
cgtn.com
