Mpox surge: These countries will roll out vaccines soon
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced an imminent vaccination campaign against the Mpox virus. This decision follows the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of Mpox as a global public health emergency for the second time in two years. The virus has claimed over 500 lives, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it has been spreading since last year.
DRC, other African nations to start vaccinations soon
The Mpox vaccination drive is set to commence within days in the DRC and other African countries. Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya stated, "We didn't start vaccinations yet. We'll start in a few days if we are sure that everything is in place." He further added that by the end of next week, vaccines will begin arriving in these countries.
Mpox: A growing global health concern
The DRC has reported over 96% of the world's approximately 17,000 recorded cases of Mpox this year. This vaccination initiative comes as new variants of the disease continue to spread rapidly across Africa. Kaseya emphasized the importance of ensuring that "the supply chain management, the logistics are ready...to ensure that this vaccine will be safely stored and can be safely administered to people who need them."
Ongoing research and rising Mpox cases in Africa
While the vaccination drive is underway, studies on the effectiveness of various vaccines will continue. This research aims to determine which vaccines are most suitable for specific contexts. According to Africa CDC data, African states reported over 1,400 additional Mpox cases last week alone. The total number of cases reported this year in the 12 African countries where Mpox has been detected is around 19,000.
Symptoms of Mpox
Mpox is a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms. The virus can be classified into two clades: Clade 1 and Clade 2. Clade 1, primarily found in Central African countries, is more severe with a high mortality rate. On the other hand, Clade 2 presents milder symptoms and is prevalent in western Africa. The current outbreak is being driven by the newer and more serious strain, Clade 1b.
