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As of June 28, 1821 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 13 countries on the continent. infection with this disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with national health authorities in the region. The aim is to strengthen surveillance and laboratory diagnosis in order to detect cases and avoid a silent spread of the virus. A total of 1,821 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 13 countries on the continent as of June 28, 2022, WHO writes in its latest report seen by APA. Of these reported cases, 109 were laboratory confirmed in nine countries. The number of confirmed cases on the continent represents 2% of the more than 4,500 confirmed cases worldwide. However, explains the UN body, there are a large number of suspected cases in Africa, and 81% of these cases have been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which underlines the need for increased diagnostic capacity. “While all African countries have the gene amplification (PCR) machines needed to detect monkeypox thanks to the laboratory capacity building that has taken place as part of the response efforts to the Covid-19 pandemic, many of these countries lack reagents and, in some cases, training in the areas of sample collection, handling and analysis,” WHO points out. That’s why she says she is striving to get 60,000 tests for Africa, including regarding 2,000 tests and reagents to be shipped to high-risk countries and 1,000 tests and reagents to be shipped to countries with less risk of smallpox. of the monkey. In the past month, it has donated reagents to five more African countries, bringing to 12 the number of countries in the region with improved capacity for monkeypox diagnosis. Another group of West African countries will receive reagents following the training organized for these countries. “The geographic spread of monkeypox in parts of Africa where no cases have yet been detected is a worrying sign. It is essential that we support countries’ efforts to strengthen surveillance and laboratory diagnosis, which are the cornerstones of the fight once morest the disease,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

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