African Union concerned about monkeypox spread on continent Global Voices in Portuguese

according to African UnionThe resurgence of monkeypox represents a Public health emergencyThe epidemic has killed hundreds of people in more than a dozen African countries.

The disease was identified by First time In Denmark in 1958, First humanitarian case It was discovered in 1970 AD. BasankosoWest County Democratic Republic of the CongoOver the years, cases have been reported in other African countries, including: Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, Central African Republic and Sierra Leonebetween OthersIn 2003, USAnd in 2018 UK, Singapore, Israel.

In May 2022, The spread of this infectious disease, now called MBOXIt has been recorded almost worldwide and has revealed many subspecies.

growing concern

According to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the health agency of the African Union, between January and August 2024, a total of 2,863 cases and 517 deaths were confirmed in 13 countries, mainly Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other sources such as BBC, indicates More than 13,700 cases and 450 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, making that country the hotspot for the disease on the continent.

There is an urgent need to supply the Democratic Republic of the Congo with vaccines to help the country effectively combat the disease. These vaccines exist, but are not immediately available on the continent.

in Radio France International (RFI), Professor Placid MbalaHead of the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at the Biomedical Research Institute of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, warns:

We are facing something that seems to be a derivative of this more dangerous type of Mpox that tends to spread very easily to the man. We know that the disease touches a lot as well as children under 15 years old. This is the reality that the population touches a lot. The first measure, with which we can isolate infected people and also vaccinate people who are exposed to this disease. When this epidemic became global in Western countries, the vaccine became available in Europe, as in the Americas. However, for the Democratic Republic of Congo, we cannot provide a vaccine available for vaccines that are considered dangerous. We have a lot of promises so that we can have vaccines. But for the moment when we do not need to have the vaccine. Do not let the disease continue to spread in communities.

We are dealing with a strain that appears to be derived from the more virulent Mpox strain, which tends to spread easily between humans. We know that the disease is most prevalent in children under 15. They are the most vulnerable population. The first step is to isolate infected people and vaccinate people who are exposed to the disease. When there was this global pandemic in Western countries, the vaccine was available in Europe or the Americas. However, in the case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we do not yet have a vaccine available to administer to people who are exposed. We have a lot of promise that we will be able to get vaccines. But at the moment, we still do not have a vaccine. So the disease may continue to spread in communities.

Other countries, such as Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa, They spared no effort.

The virus is also widespread in West Africa, mainly in Ivory CoastThe Ivorian government is taking measures to control the situation. Laurent Chagba, Minister of Water and Forests Ivorians are banned Keeping wild animals as pets, especially monkeys, chimpanzees, rats and squirrels, and consuming wild animal meat. Those who do not abide by the ban are: subject to a fine Fines of 5 to 100 million CFA francs ($8,395 to $167,915) and prison sentences of 5 to 20 years.

On social media, Internet users express their suffering. Report Muichiro node X:

I've already done Covid support, but there's more to it than ever, it's a huge increase in my capabilities.

– Moichiro (@JFromKi) August 14, 2024

I supported the Corona virus, but I will not be able to deal with monkeypox. The truth is that this is beyond my capabilities.

In the face of the spread of the epidemic, on August 7, 2024, the World Health Organization He called for an emergency meeting. From the parties to discuss the initiatives that will be adopted to combat the global spread of the disease. To this end, Antoine Gisin, Head of the Epidemiology and Psychopathology Unit of Oncoviruses at the Pasteur Institute, says in a report: Le Monde:

The public health urgency of the international portal allows for more donations of people, donors and logisticians as well as reduces the risk of spread, especially among vulnerable populations.

An international public health emergency allows for more human, financial and logistical resources to be made available to reduce the risk of disease spread, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Mobilization around the disease

On August 13, 2024, the African Union Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advertise Monkeypox has been officially declared a public health emergency on the continent. This process will play an important role in mobilizing resources to create an appropriate and proportionate response to the risk. Jean CassiaDirector of the African Union Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, warns To the risks posed by the virus and Countries:

The disease could disappear from complete control if immediate action is not taken on the content. This announcement is not official as such. It is a reason for the appeal of the action. It is a survey that we cannot allow to become more interactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat.

The disease could spiral out of control if immediate measures are not taken to contain it. This declaration is not just a formality. It is a call to action. It is a recognition that we cannot be reactive. We must be proactive and active in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat.

In turn, the World Health Organization confirms the statement of the African Union Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Article from BBC cites a statement Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusDirector-General of the World Health Organization:

The potential for spread within Africa and around the world “is of great concern to us. A coordinated international response is essential to combat this epidemic and save lives.

The potential for spread in Africa and beyond is “extremely worrying.” A coordinated international response is essential to end this pandemic and save lives.

In your Account on X, WHO chief releases video explaining:

The emergence of a new branch of #mpoxand its rapid spread in the Eastern Region #Democratic Republic of the CongoThe reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries is very worrying.

In addition to other outbreaks of smallpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in Africa, it is clear that there is a need for coordinated international cooperation. A response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives. pic.twitter.com/u2DSV6fitj

– Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 14, 2024

The emergence and rapid spread of a new strain of smallpox in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries is of great concern.

In addition to other outbreaks of smallpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in Africa, it is clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.

Africa has already paid an amount Very high price During the Covid pandemic: health sovereignty, economic revitalization, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.

In this context, the African Union expresses its readiness to be at the forefront of mobilizing funds. According to A BBC article, The Foundation has agreed to allocate more than US$10 million to assist the African Union Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in its fight against the pandemic across the continent.