The World Health Organization has declared the mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa a global emergency as cases of the virus rise dramatically. This declaration follows the confirmation of mpox cases among children and adults across more than thirteen countries, raising serious health concerns.
According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the situation has reached alarming levels, resulting in over 500 deaths. They have urged for international assistance to help curtail the virus's spread, describing the outbreak as no longer limited to specific regions but rather a global threat.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "This is something we should all be concerned about. The potential for additional spread within Africa and beyond is extremely worrying."
With mpox identified now in 13 countries across Africa this year, over 96% of confirmed cases and deaths have occurred within Congo itself. Reports indicate cases have surged by 160% compared to last year, and deaths have also increased by 19% during the same period.
The situation is particularly dire for child populations, as nearly 70% of cases reported involve children younger than 15. Experts from the Africa CDC pointed out this demographic also accounted for 85% of the fatalities, marking them as the most vulnerable group.
Salim Abdool Karim, a prominent South African infectious diseases expert, articulated the region's heightened risks, noting the spread of mpox appears to endanger neighboring Central African countries. He stated, "We are now facing circumstances where mpox poses additional risks to many neighboring regions, including Central Africa.”
Previously, the WHO designated mpox as a global emergency back in 2022 when cases exploded to over 70 countries, primarily affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Interestingly, during the 2022 outbreak, the death rate remained below 1%, contrasting sharply with the looming threat of the new variant.
Michael Marks, a professor of medicine at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, commented on the current emergency declaration, noting it is justified to invoke if it facilitates the acquisition of resources needed to combat the outbreak. He remarked, "It’s disappointing the global community had to wait until conditions worsened before mobilizing support and resources."
Jacques Alonda, campaigning for humanitarian efforts, shared his worries about the rapid spread of mpox within refugee camps located in the conflict-ridden eastern parts of Congo. He also recalled the case of a six-week-old infant who contracted mpox due to inadequate healthcare facilities.
The health crisis extending beyond mpox means the Congolese healthcare system already struggled with malnutrition, measles, and cholera cases, which have made the situation even more precarious. Timely intervention is necessary, especially following the U.N. agency's reporting of mpox for the first time across four East African nations including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Health authorities conducted exhaustive investigations to find the outbreak volatile but distinct from the less dangerous versions of mpox currently affecting South Africa and Ivory Coast. Those cases are, nevertheless, significantly milder than what’s encountered now.
COVID-19 laid bare the substantial barriers and inequities tied to vaccine distribution, and similar challenges remain evident with mpox. Experts have suggested potential solutions such as employing existing smallpox vaccines, as there are practical limitations surrounding licensed mpox vaccines filtered through Western markets.
Despite Congo requesting approximately four million doses of mpox vaccines, international support has yet to materialize. Cris Kacita Osako, coordinator of Congo’s Monkeypox Response Committee, indicated the majority of these requested vaccines are intended for individuals under 18.
Osako noted, "The United States and Japan are our primary providers pledging vaccines to our country, yet the arrival of these various doses remains uncertain."
Dr. Dimie Ogoina, who occupied a pivotal role on WHO’s emergency committee concerning mpox, stated the necessity for developing clearer insight concerning the transmission dynamics of mpox within Africa remains unmatched. He called for enhanced surveillance and increased diagnostic capabilities, emphasizing the need for timely responses to symptomatic cases.
Although WHO’s recent emergency declaration signifies preparedness for assistance from donors and nations, past responses to similar declarations did not yield expected outcomes. Dr. Boghuma Titanji, of Emory University, remarked, "The last WHO declaration for mpox did very little to change the situation, which is discouraging for our current efforts to secure necessary resources."
Consequently, the global health framework now stands at risk of falling short yet again without collective and decisive actions to address the mpox crisis effectively. Titanji continued, “The world has the opportunity to act wisely this time, but it will require more than issuing emergency messages.”
Reports indicate Congo's Ministry of Health anticipates obtaining its first set of mpox vaccines shortly, typically within the forthcoming week, as part of coordinated efforts to combat the catastrophic outbreak. The advantages of collaboration between nations, particularly Japan and the United States, bolster hopes for stabilizing the outbreak and protecting vulnerable populations.
