Title: Urgent Action Required to Address the Spreading Mpox Outbreak in Africa
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for immediate action to address the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa, as scientists warn of a dangerous new strain spreading primarily through sexual contact among men and women. The disease, which causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, can be fatal in some cases.
According to reports from various sources including Reuters and New Scientist, approximately 8,600 mpox cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this year alone, resulting in around 410 deaths. The new strain of mpox, a mutated version of the clade I virus endemic in Congo for decades, has fatality rates of around 5% in adults and 10% in children.
Mpox is primarily spread through close contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids. The disease can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as lingering symptoms such as a longer-term rash. In South Kivu province, the strain has been spreading partly by sexual contact among men and women, particularly among sex workers.
The WHO's technical lead for mpox, Rosamund Lewis, emphasized the need to address the recent surge in cases in Africa. John Claude Udahemuka of the University of Rwanda also warned that efforts are needed to make vaccines and treatments available in Congo where they are currently not accessible.
The new strain is different from the less severe form of mpox, clade IIb, which spread globally in 2022 largely through sexual contact among men who have sex with men. Although the public health emergency related to that strain has ended, Lewis stated that it remains a health threat.
The WHO and scientists are working on addressing the lack of access to vaccines and treatments in Congo. In South Kivu province, researchers are studying other close contact routes for transmission beyond sexual contact. The disease is also causing miscarriages among pregnant women, as well as longer-term rash and other lingering symptoms.
The outbreak is the worst mpox epidemic yet and has affected 24 of 26 provinces in Congo. With South Kivu bordering Rwanda and Burundi, there is a risk of the disease spreading to neighboring countries. The situation calls for urgent action to prevent further spread and mitigate its impact.
