Africa declares continent-wide health emergency over monkeypox

The African Public Health Agency said on Tuesday Monkeypox emergency on the continentSince the beginning of the year there have been more than 15 thousand infections and 461 deaths This infection has been reported in 18 countries.

The decision was taken in the face of a 160% increase in cases in one year. Especially in the Democratic Republic of the CongoWhere a more aggressive strain has been discovered.

In addition, the authorities warn that They need more than 10 million doses of the vaccine. To deal with this situation, a number far from the 200,000 available now.

Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in Africa, Jean CassiaHe urged African Union member states to “fast-track the emergency mandate that will play a key role in safeguarding public health.”

Monkeypox virus is transmitted primarily through direct or indirect contact with the blood, body fluids, skin lesions, or mucous membranes of infected animals.

WHO could extend emergency declaration globally

In parallel, the Emergency Committee Global Health Organization This Wednesday we will consider whether monkeypox should be declared a public health emergency of international concern again.

A committee of experts will meet at noon and, if the decision is upheld, will make a series of recommendations on how to anticipate and limit the spread of the disease.

The monkeypox health emergency was activated in 2022 and remained in effect for a year, until May 2023, after cases fell by more than 90%.

to’Spanish State It is the European country with the highest number of monkeypox cases. Specifically, more than 8,100 cases have been confirmed since the last outbreak was detected in April 2022.

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