Here is the revised article with the relevant article links added:
**Fatshimetry**
Coordinating Africa’s Efforts Against the Monkey Pox Epidemic
The Monkey Pox epidemic, also known as monkey pox, poses a growing threat to Africa. Faced with this challenge, the continent is mobilizing to strengthen its response. On April 13, nearly 250 experts met in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), under the aegis of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa (CDC), in order to develop strategies to stem the spread of this disease in the African region.
The situation is worrying, with more than 92,000 human cases reported in more than 110 countries. In 2023, the DRC was one of the most affected countries, recording 14,600 cases and 654 deaths.
For Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, renowned virologist and co-discoverer of the Ebola virus, the urgency of the situation is clear: “Very recently in the DRC, we observed for the first time sexual transmissions of MPOX, and therefore if we take into account this heterosexual sexual transmission, the severity of the disease and its spread, almost every province is affected. It is a public health emergency.
In their fight against the epidemic, experts pledged to coordinate their efforts in diagnostics, laboratory optimization, and vaccine research.
Dr Ngashi Ngongo, Chief of Staff and Head of the Africa CDC Executive Office, highlights the need to: “Facilitate the strengthening of preparedness and response capacity to mitigate the impact of Mpox in Africa and beyond, strengthening effective surveillance, national laboratory capacity, rapid response to outbreaks and engagement with affected communities.”
WHO is also committed to supporting these efforts, strengthening surveillance capacity, risk communication, and community engagement.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, says: “We will work on many aspects of this topic. We will start at the local, national, and global level. We are here and we will work with governments to make advance this agenda.”
Every day counts in the fight against Mpox, and there is an urgent need to improve the effectiveness of the response to this epidemic. This is why health ministers from 12 African countries decided to work together to develop an action plan to combat Mpox.
This plan includes measures to prevent, detect, and control the spread of the disease, protect African populations, and ensure a safer and more resilient future for all. This concerted and strategic action shows Africa’s determination to face this major health threat.
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For more African news and updates, visit [Africa News](http://www.africanews.com/2024/04/14/infectious-disease-experts-converge-in-kinshasa-to-coordinate-efforts-against-monkey-pox/).