**The Scourge of the Mpox Outbreak in Africa: A Global Challenge in 2022**
Africa is facing a major health crisis with over 1,000 deaths linked to the Mpox outbreak currently raging in 18 of the continent’s 55 nations. These alarming figures were revealed by the head of Africa’s leading public health agency in an announcement made last Thursday.
The sad news of the disappearance of 50 people infected this week brings the total number of victims to 1,100. Jean Kaseya, head of AfricaCDC, has appealed to international partners to deliver on their commitments in supporting the health response in Africa.
The estimated budget for a six-month plan proposed by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDD) and the World Health Organization is close to $600 million. More than half of this amount is allocated to the Mpox response in 14 affected countries and to the implementation of preventive measures in 15 others.
Mpox, a virus belonging to the same family as smallpox, causes milder symptoms such as fever and body aches. More severe cases can manifest as lesions on the face, hands and genitals.
Zambia and Zimbabwe have recently confirmed cases of Mpox, joining the list of African countries affected by the epidemic. However, it is the Democratic Republic of Congo that remains the epicentre of this global health emergency.
Discovered in Denmark in 1958, the Mpox virus had until then spread sporadically in Central and West Africa. It was during the global epidemic of 2022 that the situation took on an unprecedented scale. Wealthy countries have responded quickly by providing vaccines from their stocks.
It is crucial that the international community mobilizes to stem this health crisis that threatens the stability and health of African populations. Fighting Mpox requires enhanced international collaboration, additional resources, and effective coordination between affected countries.
In this critical time, solidarity and international cooperation are essential to overcome this ordeal and ensure the health and well-being of all.