The spread of mpox has shown a slight decrease across various regions in Africa; however, officials from the African Union’s health authority emphasized on Thursday that the epidemic is far from over.
During an online briefing, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that fifteen countries have collectively documented 11,453 mpox cases in the past four weeks, in contrast to the 12,802 cases recorded in the preceding four weeks, indicating a modest decline.
Jean Kaseya, the director of the Africa CDC, cautioned that the outbreak remains serious and pointedly stated, “We are still in the acute phase of the outbreak that is pushing us to double our effort to control mpox in Africa.”
Since the beginning of the year, health authorities have confirmed a troubling total of 50,840 mpox cases and 1,083 deaths across the African continent.
Central Africa, which is currently experiencing the brunt of the outbreak, accounts for more than 85% of all reported cases as well as nearly all fatalities.
The Democratic Republic of Congo stands out as the most affected nation, having recorded over 39,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths since January. In response, the country initiated a vaccination campaign last month that remains “limited,” according to the Africa CDC.
So far, approximately 51,649 individuals have been vaccinated across six provinces, according to data released by the Africa CDC.
Highlighting the critical role of vaccinations, Kaseya expressed hope, stating, “We hope that with these vaccines we can continue to support countries to stop this outbreak.”
In a bid to contain the surge, health agencies around the globe have allocated nearly 900,000 vaccine doses specifically for nine African nations that have been “hard hit by the current mpox surge,” as outlined in a statement from the Africa CDC on Tuesday.
Among these countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Uganda are prioritized for vaccine distribution.
The statement further clarified, “The largest number of doses — 85% of the allocation — will go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the most affected country, reporting four out of every five laboratory confirmed cases in Africa this year.”
Mpox is characterized by symptoms such as fever, muscular aches, and large boil-like skin lesions, and it poses significant health risks, potentially leading to fatalities.
**Interview with Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director of the Africa CDC**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kaseya. We appreciate your time.
**Dr. Kaseya:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to share information on this crucial issue.
**Editor:** Recent reports indicate a slight decrease in mpox cases across Africa, with 11,453 cases reported in the last four weeks compared to 12,802 in the previous four weeks. What does this modest decline mean for the continent?
**Dr. Kaseya:** While any decrease in case numbers is encouraging, it is vital to understand that we are still in the acute phase of the outbreak. This slight reduction does not signify that the epidemic is over. We must remain vigilant and continue our efforts to control the spread of mpox.
**Editor:** What specific measures is the Africa CDC taking to address this ongoing outbreak?
**Dr. Kaseya:** We are increasing our surveillance and response efforts across affected countries. This includes enhancing community awareness programs, strengthening healthcare systems to manage cases effectively, and increasing access to vaccines and treatment options where they are available.
**Editor:** What can individuals and communities do to help combat the spread of mpox at this time?
**Dr. Kaseya:** Education and awareness are key. Individuals should be informed about the symptoms and transmission of mpox. We encourage communities to practice good hygiene, report any suspicious symptoms, and seek medical advice promptly if they suspect they might have been exposed.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Kaseya. It’s clear that while we see a slight decline, the fight against mpox is far from over.
**Dr. Kaseya:** Exactly. It takes a collective effort to control infections, and every individual plays a vital role. Thank you for shedding light on this important issue.