The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently recognized mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and several other African countries as a global emergency. This alarming development follows the confirmation of cases among children and adults in over 15 countries. The situation is particularly concerning due to the emergence of a new, more deadly strain of the virus that is rapidly spreading throughout the continent. However, a shortage of vaccines in Africa leaves millions in a vulnerable position.
Earlier this week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) classified the mpox outbreaks as a public health emergency. With more than 500 deaths reported so far, the Africa CDC has urgently called on the international community to intervene to curb the virus’s spread across the continent.
“This is something that should concern us all. The ability of this virus to extend its reach beyond Africa as well as to the entire world is very worrying,” said WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Surge in Cases and Impact on Children
The Africa CDC previously reported that mpox, also known as monkeypox, has been identified in 13 countries this year. Worryingly, almost all the cases and fatalities have been reported in Congo, accounting for 96.3% of the total. The statistics are staggering: cases have risen by 48%, and deaths by 19% compared to the same period last year. It is noted that, up to now, over 14 thousand persons have been infected, and 524 have died.
One of the most significant concerns of the outbreak is its impact on children. Officials at the Africa CDC have reported that more than 70% of patients in Congo are under 15 years of age, and children account for 85% of the fatalities. Congo is the worst-affected area, where Save the Children has warned that the Congolese health system “is close to buckling under the pressure” of containing malnutrition, measles, and cholera.
Spread in Refugee Camps
Jacques Alonda, an epidemiologist who works in Congo as a consultant for international NGOs, stated that he fears the mpox outbreak in refugee camps particularly in the eastern part of the country experiencing violence. One of the worst cases that I have faced is an infant who was six weeks old but he contracted mpox two weeks ago,” he said. Undefined The baby has been hospitalized for one month after contracting mpox due to the congested hospital setting, where he and his mother had to share a room with an unidentified mpox patient.
Global Response and Vaccine Shortage
In the 2022 outbreak, WHO declared mpox a global emergency after the virus spread to more than 70 countries, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men. Before that, the disease was mostly limited to sporadic outbreaks in central and West Africa, where individuals typically contracted the virus through contact with wild animals.
While European countries have managed to control the spread of mpox with vaccines and treatments, these resources remain scarce in Africa. Michael Marks from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggested that if mpox vaccines are unavailable, authorities could consider using smallpox vaccines since the two viruses are related. “We require a large supply of vaccines to help susceptible groups,” Marks said, emphasizing the need to prioritize children, adults in affected areas, and sex workers.
WHO Call for International Assistance
The government of Congo has requested 4 million doses of the mpox vaccine, according to Cris Kacita Osako, coordinator of Congo’s Monkeypox Response Committee. These vaccines would mainly target the population under 18 years of age. Osako revealed that countries such as the United States and Japan have proposed providing vaccine aid.
Despite WHO’s emergency declaration intended to prompt donor agencies and countries into action, the global response to similar emergencies has often fallen short. Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases expert at Emory University, noted that the previous WHO emergency declaration for mpox “did very little to shift gears” in providing essential needs like diagnostics, treatment, and vaccines to Africa. “The world has a real shot at being more proactive and learning from its mistakes, but it will take more than the declaration of an emergency,” Titanji said.
