The African Union has declared a public health emergency in response to the escalating mpox outbreak across the continent. The move, which marks the first use of the African CDC’s continental security powers, aims to mobilize resources and prevent further spread of the virus. The declaration follows a surge in cases, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus was initially discovered in 1970.
A growing mpox outbreak in Africa, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to consider declaring a public health emergency of international concern. The outbreak, featuring a new, more deadly clade of the virus, has spread to neighboring countries and could pose a significant threat globally.
A deadly new strain of mpox, particularly lethal to children and pregnant women, is rapidly spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This variant, known as clade 1b, has a higher mortality rate than previous strains and is transmitted through both sexual and non-sexual contact. The outbreak has already claimed hundreds of lives, with children under 15 accounting for nearly half of the deaths. While experts are unsure of the likelihood of a global outbreak, they emphasize the need for urgent research, improved access to vaccines and treatments, and increased awareness to prevent further spread.
