The World Health Organization, WHO, has declared Mpox a global Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The declaration is the second time in two years.
This is coming on the heels of the ongoing outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, and other African countries.
PHEIC is WHO’s highest level of alert for a disease outbreak. It was declared for Mpox in July 2022 and ended in May 2023 due to the decline in the infections worldwide, Premium Times said.
However, the new development is coming less than 24 hours after the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) made a similar declaration.
Africa CDC recently reported a 160 per cent increase in Mpox cases on the continent in 2024 compared to the previous year.
It stated that more than 17,000 suspected Mpox cases and 517 deaths have been recorded across 13 countries in Africa. This includes previously unaffected nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
This also led the Africa CDC to officially declare the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). The declaration marked the first of such declaration by the agency since its inception in 2017.
This was contained in a statement by the Director General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, on Tuesday. Kaseya stated this while addressing journalists on crucial steps and implications of the disease to Africa’s health security.
Recall that WHO convened its emergency Mpox Committee amid concerns that a deadlier strain of the virus, clade Ib, had reached four previously unaffected provinces in Africa.
WHO’s Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus met independent experts on the committee virtually on Wednesday to advise on the severity of the outbreak.
Ghebreyesus, after that consultation, announced that he had declared a public health emergency of international concern. He, therefore, announced that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives.
During the briefing on Tuesday, the Africa CDC DG, however, said the development is not just an African issue. It pointed that it is a global threat requiring solidarity and collective action.
He said, “We’ve consulted with over 600 experts, partners, and stakeholders to inform our response.”
According to him, the first declaration is a call to action. He maintained that Africa can no longer afford to be reactive.
Kaseya reiterated his commitment to lead the fight against Mpox, leveraging his mandate to coordinate responses to public health emergencies.
He said, “We will provide treatment, protective measures, and support to those in need.
“This is a fight for all African States. And we will work tirelessly to mitigate the impact of this health threat,” the DG said.
Recall that as of July 28, 2024, Nigeria recorded 24 cases with no deaths. While the DRC topped with 13,791 cases and 450 deaths.
Reacting the deadly disease outbreak, the Nigerian Government introduced travelling protocols. It mandated that incoming passengers to the country, through the Airports, fill out a health declaration form to ensure safety against infectious diseases.
Recall that similar protocol had earlier been introduced globally, especially when the coronavirus pandemic struck the world in 2020.
According to the health ministry, “the form is an instituted measure to prevent the spread, monitor the possible importation of infectious diseases into the country. It also serves to aid the control of disease outbreaks, thereby protecting the health of all Nigerians.”
“A paper-based version will be provided on arrival in Nigeria for passengers unable to fill out the form online,” the authorities said.
Mpox (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.
The disease can spread from animals to humans and between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health bodies renamed monkeypox to “Mpox” in 2022. This is in an effort to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the original name.
source: Premium Times
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