A rapidly spreading Mpox outbreak in Africa is likely to be declared a public health emergency of continental security this week. This will be the first time Africa’s main health advisory body, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), will use this new authority, which it received in 2023.
The declaration aims to help coordinate an international response and support affected countries. A mutated strain of Mpox has spread to at least six African countries, infecting over 12,300 people and causing about 500 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Children under five have been hit hardest, accounting for more than 60% of fatal cases.
Recent cases in Ivory Coast, Kenya, and other countries have raised fears of a wider outbreak, prompting extraordinary measures to contain the virus. For example, Ivory Coast has imposed strict penalties for those keeping wild animals without authorisation, aiming to reduce the risk of transmission.
Countries must share data with Africa CDC
If a public health emergency is declared, countries in the region must share timely information on Mpox with Africa CDC, including border surveillance data. This will allow Africa CDC to share better data with global organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF and to tap into financial aid, accelerate research, and increase vaccination efforts.
Although Mpox vaccines exist, they are expensive – around $100 per dose – and few have reached Africa, the only continent where the disease is endemic. Africa CDC is working with manufacturers to lower the cost and make the vaccine more accessible.