Health alert statement
The rise in cases of monkeypox, known as mpox, has led African health authorities to declare a public health emergency. The director of the African Center for Disease Control, Jean Kaseya, made this statement on August 13, noting that the current situation is considerably more serious than when the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an similar alert in 2022.
A worrying new strain
Kaseya reported that a new strain of the virus, more virulent than the previous ones, has emerged in the last six months, causing a significant increase in the incidence of the disease. Accompanied by epidemiologist Salim Abdul Karim, they explained that the situation is alarming and that the available data indicate that the number of cases is only a small part of the real problem.
The magnitude of the crisis
Karim stressed that the reality of reported cases could be much worse than perceived, as many infections can go unnoticed due to their mild nature and insufficient health surveillance. This means authorities need to improve their ability to carry out tests, trace contacts and collect data.
A critical situation on the rise
Currently, Africa triples the number of recorded cases compared to last year’s figures. This new wave of infections has generated concern among experts, who see a rapid and alarming increase in cases across the continent. Kaseya and Karim agreed that the healthcare landscape has changed dramatically, requiring an immediate and coordinated response.
The risk of mortality
Another worrying aspect is the death rate associated with monkeypox. Currently, this rate is between 3 and 4%, a figure that, according to experts, is unacceptable. This underscores the need to improve public health services and response to health emergencies to mitigate the impact of this disease.
Towards a safer future
African health authorities are aware that to meet this challenge it is crucial to implement effective control and prevention measures. The commitment to public health and international cooperation will be fundamental to overcome this emergency and guarantee a safer future for the population of the continent.