Mpox declared public health emergency in Africa

The Facts

• Scientists from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have declared Mpox, often known as monkeypox, a public health emergency in Africa.

• The Africa CDC's decision follows the WHO's call for immediate action due to the rapid spread of the new mpox strain. The highly contagious disease, causing body-wide lesions, has spread from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda.

• The DRC has reported 13,700 cases and 450 fatalities since the start of the year. Creating a public health emergency will help government agencies coordinate and possibly increase medical aid to affected areas.