KEY POINTS
- Mpox cases have surged by 177 percent in Africa, with deaths rising by 38.5 percent, particularly affecting countries like Nigeria and the DRC.
- The continent’s struggle to contain the virus is due to limited vaccine availability, poor healthcare systems, and a lack of public awareness.
- African governments and the Africa CDC are taking steps to control the outbreak, but international support is crucial for long-term success.
Africa is amid a deteriorating Mpox outbreak that has caused alarm among public health officials throughout the continent. Although various local governments and health agencies have undertaken measures, Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) continues reappearing, as evidenced by a dramatic 177 per cent surge in reported cases over a year. Accompanied by increased mortality by 38.5 per cent, this trend concerns healthcare providers throughout the African continent
As indicated in the most recent publication from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the scenario is deteriorating, particularly in regions including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Cameroon, which are having difficulty coping with the virus.
Mpox outbreak: a growing crisis
Mpox is currently causing a major public health crisis. Up to 2024, the number of suspected cases of this virus in Africa has reached over 30,000, with extensive development, particularly in Central and West Africa as reported by The East African. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria are experiencing increased infection rates, as their healthcare systems attempt to manage the rising need.
Mpox is a health issue that is spread from animals to humans, primarily via close contact with infected rodents or primates, or through direct dissemination from one person to another. The indications—fever, spots, and uncomfortable abrasions—are much like smallpox, though they tend to be less serious. How dangerous the disease is can vary, and among susceptible groups, Mpox can lead to complications and death.
Why is Africa struggling to contain Mpox?
The Mpox crisis in Africa is presently sustained by multiple factors. The fundamental contention posits that the constrained access to vaccines in this area has rendered many people susceptible to infection. While vaccines have been formulated and distributed in different parts of the world, Africa has only just begun to get its doses.
In particular, Rwanda was the first African nation to distribute Mpox vaccines, yet this coverage is far from being widespread. The Africa CDC has urged international organizations to speed up vaccine delivery to affected areas, but progress has been slow.
The continent’s healthcare systems are also a hindrance to the success of these policies. Most of the regions that have been most affected by Mpox have weak health systems that are poorly resourced to diagnose, treat, and control the virus. Infants and adults from rural areas are most vulnerable since they interface with the animals and access restricted health care services.
However, there is misinformation concerning the Mpox and the stigma that has been placed on reporting cases that have only made the situation even worse. This makes containment efforts even more difficult as most people never get tested or treated for the virus.
The other consideration includes the impact of previous epidemics, for instance, COVID-19 -19 which has overstretched most healthcare organizations, who also lack adequate funds. Most African nations are still grappling with the effects of the pandemic, and the tools to fight the Mpox virus are limited. The simple things like gowns, masks, test kits, and equipment in general are hard to come by, so it is challenging to tackle this new problem.
Measures taken to contain Mpox
Despite this, the governments of Africa and all health-related bodies have attempted to prevent the spread of Mpox. Health institutions have for instance developed surveillance posts and quarantine stations in order to prevent and check the spread of the disease. Awareness has also been created within public health campaigns designed to educate people on how to stay away from stray animals, and on cleanliness.
On a larger scale, Africa CDC in consultation with WHO has urged the international community and donors to step up funding to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines. However, a slow international response has been a setback to these efforts. There is — and must be — greater global engagement in the delivery of vaccines, medical equipment and the expert support which is needed to curb the pandemic.
That Mpox vaccines have been rolled out in Africa is refreshing though it should not end here. Thus for the Mpox to become a thing of the past a continent of healthy people, better health structures, and more vaccines will be needed.
