Malaria parasite Mpox is rapidly spreading in Africa, posing a significant threat to global health security.
In a world where global health security is paramount, a new threat looms on the horizon, emanating from the heart of Africa. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has been silently spreading its roots on the African continent for over five decades. However, it was not until recent years that this once localized disease caught the attention of the world as it started to expand its reach beyond Africa's borders.
The first human case of mpox was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, marking the beginning of a long-standing battle with the virus. Despite its endemic nature in Africa, the global community turned a blind eye to mpox until it began infiltrating high-income countries in Europe and North America. This neglect mirrors the early stages of the Ebola virus outbreak, which only garnered significant international attention during the 2014-2015 crisis when cases started appearing in wealthier nations.
Recent data paints a worrying picture of the current situation in Africa. With over 91,000 laboratory-confirmed cases and 167 deaths reported from 116 countries, the continent bears the brunt of the mpox burden. The staggering increase of over 200% in deaths within a year underscores the severity of the situation, highlighting Africa's struggle to contain the virus effectively.
Despite several outbreaks in the past, including the 2017 Nigeria outbreak with a case fatality rate of 5.7%, and the ongoing surge in cases in the DRC, mpox continued to fly under the radar until it posed a threat to global health security. Efforts were made post-PHEIC declaration to bolster surveillance, accelerate vaccine development, and provide technical assistance. However, glaring disparities in laboratory capacities and vaccine access underscore the inequality that plagues global health responses.
The recent emergence of sexually transmitted mpox cases in the DRC and the spread to new provinces underscore the urgency for enhanced surveillance and comprehensive response strategies. The World Health Organization's outbreak alert serves as a stark reminder of the need for a collective effort to combat mpox effectively.
In light of these developments, the African Union Commission and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have called for a new public health order that emphasizes strengthening public health institutions, local manufacturing of medical supplies, increased investment in healthcare, and fostering equitable partnerships. This plea for a united front against mpox signals a crucial step towards achieving global health security.
As the world grapples with the escalating threat of mpox, the spotlight shines brightly on Africa. It is a call to action for nations to stand together, bridging the gap in healthcare access and ensuring that no population is left behind in the pursuit of a healthier, safer world.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02862-6
The first human case of mpox was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, marking the beginning of a long-standing battle with the virus. Despite its endemic nature in Africa, the global community turned a blind eye to mpox until it began infiltrating high-income countries in Europe and North America. This neglect mirrors the early stages of the Ebola virus outbreak, which only garnered significant international attention during the 2014-2015 crisis when cases started appearing in wealthier nations.
Recent data paints a worrying picture of the current situation in Africa. With over 91,000 laboratory-confirmed cases and 167 deaths reported from 116 countries, the continent bears the brunt of the mpox burden. The staggering increase of over 200% in deaths within a year underscores the severity of the situation, highlighting Africa's struggle to contain the virus effectively.
Despite several outbreaks in the past, including the 2017 Nigeria outbreak with a case fatality rate of 5.7%, and the ongoing surge in cases in the DRC, mpox continued to fly under the radar until it posed a threat to global health security. Efforts were made post-PHEIC declaration to bolster surveillance, accelerate vaccine development, and provide technical assistance. However, glaring disparities in laboratory capacities and vaccine access underscore the inequality that plagues global health responses.
The recent emergence of sexually transmitted mpox cases in the DRC and the spread to new provinces underscore the urgency for enhanced surveillance and comprehensive response strategies. The World Health Organization's outbreak alert serves as a stark reminder of the need for a collective effort to combat mpox effectively.
In light of these developments, the African Union Commission and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have called for a new public health order that emphasizes strengthening public health institutions, local manufacturing of medical supplies, increased investment in healthcare, and fostering equitable partnerships. This plea for a united front against mpox signals a crucial step towards achieving global health security.
As the world grapples with the escalating threat of mpox, the spotlight shines brightly on Africa. It is a call to action for nations to stand together, bridging the gap in healthcare access and ensuring that no population is left behind in the pursuit of a healthier, safer world.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02862-6
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