The Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has declared mpox a “public health emergency of continental security”.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Most cases are mild but it can kill.
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Over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths from a new variant, known as Clade Ib, have been recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo since the beginning of the year.
The virus has also spread to other African countries, including Burundi, Kenya and Rwanda.
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The new variant spreads more easily through routine close contact, as seems to be the case among children.
Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa CDC, declared the health emergency during an online briefing on Tuesday.
“With a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as public health emergency of continental security,” Kaseya said.
“Mpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across our continent, families have been torn apart and the pain and suffering have touched every corner of our continent.”
Last week, the Africa CDC had said it would likely declare mpox an emergency, adding that doing so would enable better cross-border responses and would obligate member countries to notify new cases to the continental body.
The organisation said the declaration would enable mobilisation of domestic and international resources and accelerate vaccine research and development.
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