The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak in Africa, formerly known as monkeypox, a public health emergency of international concern. Experts have likened the situation to the early days of the HIV epidemic, emphasizing the urgent need for accelerated access to vaccines, testing, and treatment in the affected regions.
As of August 4, 2024, Africa has reported 38,465 cases of mpox and 1,456 deaths since January 2022. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been particularly hard-hit, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths recorded this year alone. The outbreak in the DRC is being driven by a new variant, clade Ib, which poses a significant threat, especially to children.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the situation, calling for the highest level of international response. The WHO has already allocated $1.5 million from its contingency fund and is seeking an additional $15 million to support its efforts in the region.
Experts, including Trudie Lang of Oxford University, have highlighted the similarities between the current mpox outbreak and the early stages of the HIV epidemic. The virus appears to be spreading through sexual networks, with vulnerable populations such as exploited young sex workers at heightened risk. Lang also noted reports of pregnancy losses and babies born with mpox lesions, underscoring the need for more research and better public health campaigns.
Dr. Ayoade Alakija, chair of the Africa Vaccine Delivery Alliance, criticized the slow international response, suggesting that the outbreak would have been treated as a major emergency if it had occurred in Europe. She called for equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, noting that most resources have been pre-ordered by wealthier countries.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also declared mpox a public health emergency. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the organization’s director general, described the declaration as a “clarion call to action” and emphasized the need for aggressive efforts to contain the virus.
In response to these developments, the African Union has approved $10.4 million for the Africa CDC’s efforts, though experts estimate that around $4 billion will be needed to effectively combat the outbreak.
The situation remains critical, and there is a growing consensus that swift and decisive action is necessary to prevent further spread of mpox across Africa and beyond.
Note: This article was updated on August 15, 2024, to clarify that the comparison of the mpox outbreak to the early days of HIV reflects the views of some scientists, not the WHO itself.