World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced plans to convene a panel of experts to assess the escalating spread of the monkeypox virus in Africa and determine if it warrants a declaration of a global emergency.
During a press briefing in Geneva, Tedros highlighted the need for expert advice given the expanding reach of monkeypox cases across multiple African countries beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Recent reports from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed a significant rise in monkeypox cases in 10 African nations this year, with the majority concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa CDC noted a notable increase in both cases and fatalities compared to the same period last year.
In response to the situation, the WHO has allocated $1 million from its emergency fund to support efforts combating monkeypox.
This year witnessed the emergence of a more virulent strain of monkeypox in a Congolese mining town, raising concerns about heightened transmission rates. Monkeypox primarily spreads through close contact, including sexual intercourse.
The outbreak has now reached countries like Burundi and Rwanda, with Kenya and the Central African Republic also reporting cases.
Maria Van Kerkhove, leading the WHO’s outbreak unit, underscored the urgent need for a proactive response to the escalating monkeypox epidemic, emphasizing the necessity of swift and coordinated actions to curb its spread in Africa.
As the situation evolves, global health authorities are closely monitoring the monkeypox outbreak, recognizing the critical importance of timely interventions to contain the virus and protect vulnerable populations across the continent.