Time: 2024-08-09
The head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , Dr Jean Kaseya , has announced that the agency is likely to declare a continental public health emergency due to the growing mpox outbreak . This decision comes as a response to the increase in mpox cases and its continuous spread across borders , with a total of 887 new confirmed and suspected cases reported in the past week alone . This surge has pushed the total number of cases to 15,132 for the year , marking a 160 % increase compared to the same period last year . Out of the sixteen countries that have reported cases , the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the most affected , with over 90 % of cases and 461 deaths recorded so far.
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has called an emergency meeting to discuss the recent surge in cases of monkeypox ( Mpox ) , especially in Congo and its neighboring countries . The meeting aims to determine whether the spread of this deadly virus warrants a global Public health emergency of international concern . The Director - General of WHO , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , shared his concerns about the spread of mpox outside of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the potential for further international transmission . This has led to the convening of an Emergency Committee to advise on the situation.
According to reports , there has been a significant increase in mpox cases in Congo , with over 27,000 cases and more than 1100 deaths , primarily affecting children . The virus has also been detected in ten African nations , with over 96 % of cases concentrated in Congo . The WHO had previously declared mpox a global emergency in 2022 when it spread to over 70 countries . The virus predominantly affects youths , with symptoms including fever , chills , respiratory problems , swollen lymph nodes , and muscle pain . The cases have surged by 160 % this year , with a 19 % increase in deaths , especially among children under the age of 15.
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