“Africa CDC Declares Mpox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security”

“Africa CDC Declares Mpox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security”

On Tuesday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking its first such declaration since the agency’s inception in 2017. This decision, made under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statutes, grants the organization the authority to lead and coordinate responses to significant health emergencies across the continent.

In a press release, Africa CDC highlighted that the declaration would enable the mobilization of essential resources, including funding, risk communication, community engagement, and enhanced surveillance and laboratory testing. These efforts are crucial for an effective response to the Mpox outbreak, which has affected at least 13 African countries, including new cases in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC’s Director General, emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for swift and decisive action to strengthen health systems and deliver life-saving interventions. “There is no need for travel restrictions at this time,” Dr. Kaseya assured, while urging international partners to collaborate closely with Africa CDC to provide necessary support.

Since January 2024, the continent has recorded 2,863 confirmed Mpox cases and 517 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Suspected cases have surged to over 17,000, a stark increase from previous years. Prof. Salim Abdool Karim, chair of the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), expressed concerns that the outbreak may be more severe than current data suggests, particularly due to limited surveillance and potential links between Mpox and HIV.

In response, Africa CDC has established a 25-member Incident Management Team to support affected countries and signed a partnership agreement with the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and Bavarian Nordic. This partnership will provide over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, the only FDA and EMA-approved Mpox vaccine, ensuring equitable distribution across the continent.

Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, presents symptoms including a skin rash, fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. It is transmitted through contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, or animals. The Africa CDC’s declaration marks a significant step in addressing the outbreak and preventing further spread across the continent.