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.Amid the rapid spread of a concerning strain of the Mpox, or monkeypox, virus across Central Africa, the Africa CDC declared its first-ever public-health emergency on Wednesday. The WHO will discuss a global declaration during its meeting on August 14.

• 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 decision by the continent's leading health body follows a call for immediate action by the WHO. 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.Since the beginning of the year, the DRC has reported 13,700 cases and 450 fatalities. Creating a public health emergency will help government agencies coordinate and possibly increase medical aid to affected areas.