Monkeypox Outbreak Sparks Global Health Concerns in Africa

The monkeypox outbreak, which started in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is causing alarm as it spreads to nine other countries in Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the severity of the situation and might even label it a global emergency.

Last year, the outbreak saw over 14,000 suspected cases and around 728 deaths in DRC alone. Currently, there are reports of 11,000 cases and 445 deaths, all attributed to a more dangerous variant of the virus known as Clade Ib.

Monkeypox shares similarities with smallpox, a disease that was eradicated in the 1980s, yet continues to make headlines, particularly in central and west Africa. The first case in humans was identified in DRC back in 1970. Symptoms include a rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

This virus can spread through close contact—from face-to-face interactions to skin-to-skin contact and even respiratory droplets. It is notably transmitted from animals to humans, often in tropical rainforest areas where infected animals like squirrels and rats live.

Children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk of facing serious complications from mpox. Recognizing the infection can be tricky as its symptoms can mimic other diseases. Accurate testing is crucial for diagnosing mpox without mistaking it for infections like chickenpox or herpes.

The WHO emphasizes the need for testing to begin as soon as possible to manage the outbreak efficiently. They recommend that vaccines should be administered within four days of exposure to the virus and up to 14 days if symptoms haven’t appeared yet.

Unfortunately, ongoing civil unrest in DRC complicates prevention efforts. Millions are displaced due to conflict, living in situations where health guidelines, like social distancing, are hard to follow. Reports indicate that among the monkeypox cases, a significant number are children living in these makeshift camps.

Dr. Jean Kaseya from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention mentioned that with cases rising by 160% compared to last year, a continental public health emergency might be necessary. He is actively engaging other African nations to halt the outbreak from escalating into a broader pandemic.

While western nations manage to control their outbreaks with vaccines, the shortage in Africa poses a significant challenge, with only 200,000 doses available for a demand that could reach 10 million. The Africa CDC is looking for international help to secure more vaccines to fight this growing crisis.