Africa is currently grappling with significant challenges as mpox cases soar, with nearly 4,000 new infections reported within just one week. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted this alarming spike, urging the global community to expedite vaccine deliveries to combat this growing public health crisis. Dr. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, noted during an online briefing on Tuesday, "Eighty-one deaths from mpox have been reported this past week, pushing totals to 22,863 cases and 622 deaths across the continent."
Despite the urgency of the situation, the flow of vaccines remains slow. Dr. Kaseya pointed out, "About 380,000 doses of mpox vaccines are promised by Western partners such as the European Union and the United States, but this is only about 15% of what we really need to control the outbreaks, especially with Congo being identified as the epicenter."
Following last year’s outbreaks outside of Africa, wealthy nations were quick to mobilize their resources. But now, the feelings of neglect are palpable among African health officials as few vaccines have reached African nations. The first shipment of vaccines, promised to aid the fresh outbreaks in Congo, encountered delays, with the Africa CDC anticipating the initial batch of 50,000 doses from the U.S. and another 15,000 from the GAVI Alliance arriving only on September 1 due to bureaucratic hurdles. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, incidents manager at the Africa CDC for mpox, expressed frustration, stating, "It’s just about waiting on the U.S. government to transfer those vaccines."
Congo has also sought 2 million doses of vaccines effective particularly for children from Japan, with talks reportedly advancing. This new strain of the mpox virus, known as Clade 1b, is rapidly spreading across borders, inciting high levels of community transmission. Recently, Burundi reported almost 800 new cases within the past month alone.
Meanwhile, the United States donated 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines to Nigeria, marking the first vaccine donation to Africa since the onset of current mpox outbreaks. Nigeria itself has recorded 40 mpox cases so far this year, according to its CDC. Many African countries have begun promoting health measures to mitigate the spread of the mpox virus, but enforcing these protocols, particularly in conflict-ridden areas like Congo, has proved challenging. Dr. Kaseya mentioned, "Humanitarian actors face severe difficulties controlling this outbreak due to insufficient resources."
The brutal nature of the situation is heightened by the existing humanitarian crisis. Heather Kerr from the International Rescue Committee highlighted the plight of displaced persons, stating, "Humanitarian workers are overwhelmed as millions flee violence, crowding camps where resources are scarce, and children are especially vulnerable."
To the east, as officials look to manage the situation, border regions between Kenya and Uganda have heightened alertness due to reported mpox infections. Businesswoman Mary Malisi crosses the busy border town of Malaba often, and recently, she noticed increased health protocols during her crossings. She recounted, "We are directed to hand washing points upon arrival and tested on the way back to Kenya. It’s familiar ground considering what we faced during COVID, but the need seems more pressing now."
The emergence of Clade 1b not only puts pressure on Congo but extends fear and concern across East Africa. This variant has been linked to new cases across Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, countries which previously never encountered such outbreaks. Dr. Pierre Olivier, working for medical aid organizations, spoke candidly about the broader health struggles facing the region, "We’re also battling stigma associated with mpox due to its historical links to sexual contact. People are reluctant to seek help. They wait until it's too late, preferring local remedies instead of professional medical treatment."
The healthcare system is struggling, particularly against the backdrop of extensive armed conflict and displacement complicates the response effort. An armed group known as M23 has intensified fighting, displacing millions and deepening the misery of the Congolese populace. The reality is stark: approximately seven million Congolese citizens are forcefully displaced, many sheltering under appalling conditions. Dr. Olivier adds, "We are trying to control the spread of disease, but here, basic needs are unmet. Personal hygiene, water access – everything suffers, making the disease fester. Hand washing becomes quite literally out of reach for many."
More than ten countries are currently tallying mpox cases, with substantial infections traced back to multiple provinces throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With Burundi now seeing the second highest number of cases, Dr. Liliane Nkengurutse, from Burundi’s public health emergency department, emphasized the steps needed to combat the outbreak. “We’re training community health workers for quicker detection and tracing of this new disease. It’s novel to us, and awareness is key,” she elaborated.
Looking at the broader picture, experts warn of potential disasters if swift actions aren’t taken. Health authorities are hopeful the World Health Organization will soon deploy vaccines, but timing is still uncertain as bureaucratic red tape plagues the process. Dr. Samoel Ashimosi Khamadi of the Kenya Medical Research Institute shared, “The outbreak isn’t getting the attention it demands. We have learned from previous experiences like COVID-19; timely vaccination is imperative.”
The worry, echoed among researchers and health professionals worldwide, suggests this could be the precursor for broader outbreaks if not managed properly. Hans Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe stated, "We can and must tackle mpox together across regions and continents by putting systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally or we will enter another vicious loop of fear and neglect."
News from the region remains grim, as locals like Mary Malisi, returning from the Ugandan marketplace, reinforce the anxiety present among communities. While life continues at the Kenya-Uganda border, discussions about mpox have become increasingly common. Every interaction involves weighing the risks posed by the virus. With many waiting desperately for answers and action, the need for collective intervention has never been clearer.
