Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) has said that the continent needs over 10 million doses of vaccines to control the ongoing MPox outbreak that has spread to 13 countries in the continent.
The centre said only about 200,000 doses of the vaccine are available, with 9.8 million deficit.
Africa CDC director-general, Dr. Jean Kaseya, stated this at a virtual briefing, while assuring that the centre would work to quickly increase the supply to the continent.
Africa CDC on Tuesday declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
Dr. Kaseya said: “Today, we declare this PHECS to mobilise our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act swiftly and decisively. This empowers us to forge new partnerships, strengthen our health systems, educate our communities, and deliver life-saving interventions where they are needed most. There is no need for travel restrictions at this time.”
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, with two distinct clades: Clade I and Clade II. Common symptoms include a skin rash or mucosal lesions lasting 2–4 weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
The virus can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infectious person, contaminated materials, or infected animals.
13 countries have reported 2, 863 cases of Mpox outbreaks and 517 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said Africa CDC, adding that suspected cases across the continent have surged past 17,000, a significant increase from 7,146 cases in 2022 and 14,957 cases in 2023.
From May 2022 to July 2023, Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, Africa did not receive the support it urgently needed during this period. As global cases began to decline, the escalating numbers in Africa were largely ignored.
Dr Kaseya emphasised the need for a change in approach: “We urge our international partners to seize this moment to act differently and collaborate closely with Africa CDC to provide the necessary support to our Member States.
“We call on you to stand with us in this critical hour. Africa has long been on the frontlines in the fight against infectious diseases, often with limited resources. The battle against Mpox demands a global response. We need your support, expertise, and solidarity. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this crisis.”
