Zim Now Writer
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the outbreak of Monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency following over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths which have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone in 2024.
The virus has since spread to several other African countries, including the Central African Republic, Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenya.
In a statement posted on its official X platform on Tuesday, the Africa CDC emphasized the urgency and gravity of the situation, calling for immediate and coordinated action across the African continent to address the MPox outbreak.
"In a critical move to safeguard the health and security of millions, our Director General at Africa CDC has officially declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security during a special press briefing today.
"This declaration highlights the urgency and gravity of the situation, demanding immediate and coordinated action across Africa.
“We are mobilising all available resources, working closely with member states, strengthening partnerships, and intensifying efforts to contain and mitigate the impact of Mpox,” the ACDC said.
MPox is a viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, which is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, the same genus as the smallpox virus.
It can spread from infected animals to humans through direct contact with body fluids, skin lesions, or respiratory droplets.
Human-to-human transmission can occur through close physical contact, exposure to contaminated materials, or respiratory droplets.
The virus can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or through close contact.
Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion.
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