Home News Africa’s Mpox crisis intensifies as WHO renews global public health emergency

Africa’s Mpox crisis intensifies as WHO renews global public health emergency

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By Nana Karikari, Senior International Affairs and Political Analyst

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent warning to the global community. Mpox (formerly monkeypox), remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, issued this proclamation following a groundbreaking round of discussions from the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee that met early this month. A task force of the world’s leading health experts reviewed the current situation and advised that the emergency status must continue. In a joint statement, Mr Ghebreyesus said, despite the progress from some countries in controlling the outbreak, the overall situation is still alarming. He explained that the decision was taken in consideration of the continued rise in Mpox cases. This includes a recent uptick in West Africa, and probably underreported transmission in countries outside of the continent.

“Ongoing operational challenges in responding to the event, including concerning surveillance and diagnostics, as well as a lack of funding, make prioritizing response interventions challenging and require continued international support,” Mr Ghebreyesus said.

The Heavy Cost of Unseen Gaps Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, has tragically re-emerged and taken a devastating toll in many parts of the African continent, especially in Central and West Africa. The WHO’s global Mpox trends paint a troubling picture, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) still a hotspot. The DRC records 200 to 600 new cases every week. These numbers are more than statistics; they are a silent cry of unimaginable pain, countless disrupted lives, and massive pressure on already fragile healthcare systems stretched to the breaking point. According to UNICEF, children are bearing the brunt of these epidemics. They account for almost 60% of infections in Burundi, and a staggering 77% of child deaths in the

DRC among children under the age of 15 years, demonstrating the profound impact on Africa’s youngest populations. Also, the ongoing violence and instability in countries like the DRC are major hindrances to public health interventions. It also makes access to basic health services difficult for displaced people, contributing to the emergency. Cross-border appeals highlight a funding shortfall, with over US$220 million needed to adequately address the Mpox in affected countries.

A Spreading Shadow Over the Continent

The scope of the disease is exploding. While cases in Uganda and Burundi are facing a moderate increase in cases, the emergence of new cases in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia is particularly alarming.

These regions had previously reported few cases. The recent upticks signal a troubling spread of the outbreak. Mpox’s global reach is expanding, with outbreaks of both Clade I and Clade II being reported in other regions. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the Clade I Mpox virus is driving the current transmission in several countries, including Uganda and Zambia. The virus is widespread in Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The CDC further reports that there is also continued transmission in the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. CDC data shows Nigeria has recorded 332 cases and three deaths so far.

Global Reach of Mpox Clade I Mpox has also caused localized person-to-person outbreaks in non-endemic countries, through sexual contact, household exposure, and healthcare-associated transmission, especially in the absence of infection control precautions.

Since early this month, there have been Clade I Mpox cases that are travel-related reported outside the continent of Africa, particularly in Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, the United States, and several European countries. Meanwhile, the CDC announced that the global Mpox clade II outbreak driven by that subclade IIb surpassed 100k cases in 122 countries, including 115 that had never previously reported Mpox. This global spread highlights the underhanded nature of Mpox, proving that it can cross geographical boundaries and showing the interconnected nature of global health security.

Ghana’s Determined Fight

For the people of Ghana, this international alert reinforces a necessary call to action. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) remains at the forefront, monitoring closely. Local reports have begun to indicate increased numbers of confirmed Mpox cases. So far, Ghana has recorded 133 confirmed cases of Mpox. These cases have spread to over ten regions, prompting intensified surveillance efforts. According to the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the infections have been largely concentrated in the Western and Western North Regions, with males forming the majority of cases.

Ghana’s approach is based on prior experience. The nation recorded its first Mpox case in June 2022. It had reported 127 confirmed cases and four deaths to the WHO since the outbreak began that year, highlighting existing alertness and response capability.

The GHS has announced plans to purchase Mpox vaccines in response to the rising number of human-to-human transmissions of the disease in the country. Director of Public Health for the GHS, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, has confirmed that arrangements are underway to identify vulnerable populations to be vaccinated to avoid the spread of the virus. GHS has also asked Ghanaians to maintain high personal hygiene standards, reduce direct body contact with symptom-showing people, and report immediately to the hospital upon experiencing rash, fever, and lymph node swelling. Taking this proactive approach will help protect every life and community.

WHO: Updated recommendations

The global health agency also issued the committee’s revised temporary recommendations to member states that are experiencing Mpox outbreaks to support their efforts to prevent and control the spread of the disease.

“The upsurge of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread to neighboring countries was first determined to be PHEIC by Ghebreyesus on 14 August, 2024,” Mr. Ghebreyesus said.

“Since then, the committee has met on three more occasions, and each time has recommended to the director general that the event still constitutes a PHEIC, ” he added.

In tandem with vaccine rollout, countries are encouraged to strengthen disease surveillance systems to detect and report new cases promptly, enhance diagnostic capacity, and investigate outbreaks to better understand transmission dynamics. The multifaceted approach underscores that a comprehensive plan, including both preventive measures and robust response mechanisms, is needed to mitigate or stop the escalating Mpox threat globally.

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