Monkeypox Outbreak in Africa: Death Toll Reaches 1,200 with Over 62,000 Cases Reported
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Addis Ababa, Dec 6 (NationPress) The ongoing monkeypox outbreak in Africa has resulted in a death toll of 1,200, with the total number of cases reported this year exceeding 62,000, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
During an online media briefing on Thursday evening, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya announced that 20 African countries had reported 62,171 monkeypox cases since the beginning of this year, with 13,579 confirmed cases and the death toll now at 1,200.
According to data from the African Union's specialized healthcare agency, the continent recorded 2,708 new cases last week alone, which included 565 confirmed cases and 36 deaths, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
“Comparing the first week of January with the last week of November 2024, we see an increase of more than 716 percent (compared to all of 2023). If this trend continues, we will likely see an increase of more than 800 percent by the end of December compared to 2023,” Kaseya stated. “This indicates that monkeypox is the largest outbreak Africa is currently facing following the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Furthermore, the Africa CDC chief noted that the continent is experiencing various monkeypox outbreaks due to the presence of four strains of the virus. “In certain areas, we face a mix of different clades, complicating the appropriate response to the situation,” he added.
Monkeypox was initially identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958. This rare viral disease is predominantly transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and other contaminated materials. The typical symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
In mid-August, the Africa CDC classified the ongoing monkeypox outbreak in Africa as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. Shortly after, the World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, marking the second activation of its highest global alert for monkeypox in two years.
