According to Dr. Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa CDC, Africa is not fully prepared to manage the ongoing Mpox epidemic. The continent faces significant challenges, particularly a lack of funding for research on Mpox strains. So far, Africa’s recorded cases are 22,863.
Dr. Kaseya highlighted that the outbreak is still spreading. It also prompts efforts to deliver the first batch of vaccines to the Democratic Republic of Congo by early September. This week alone, there were 3,641 new cases and 622 deaths. Gabon also reported its first confirmed Mpox case.
The epidemic has largely become sexually transmitted, leading Dr. Kaseya to call for an urgent meeting of African Heads of State by mid-September to prioritize the issue. Africa’s CDC plans to deploy 72 epidemiologists across member states to help test for and contain the disease. Dr. Kaseya advised health ministries not to rely solely on lab tests, citing concerns about false negatives.
Regarding Kenya’s two Mpox cases involving truck drivers from Uganda, Dr. Kaseya raised concerns about tracing contacts and managing outbreaks along transport routes. He also noted the problem of under-reporting in many African countries, emphasizing the need for better data collection and support for community health workers.
Starting September 1, Africa CDC will begin distributing Mpox vaccines, starting with the DRC. Vaccination is crucial even in countries with few cases, like Kenya, to protect the broader population.
Also read: Germany to Send 100,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses to Africa
