A deadlier strain of mpox is gaining traction in Africa – spreading beyond Congo’s borders where the latest outbreak is concentrated – and could be declared an international public health crisis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both expressed concern about the spread, and on Sunday WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated that he may gather advisers to help him decide if you want to sound the alarm.
“As a deadlier strain of mpox spreads to several African countries, @WHO, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), local authorities and partners are scaling up the response to interrupt disease transmission,” Ghebreyesus wrote on X. “But it more funding and support is needed for a comprehensive response I am considering convening an Emergency Committee on International Health Regulations to advise me on whether the mpox outbreak should be declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The US CDC will soon update its Health announcement December 2023inform doctor”about the evolving mpox situation“, the agency told NBC News on Monday.
Kenya and the Central African Republic declared outbreaks late last month, and cases have increased by 160% this year, of particular concern due to the lack of treatments and vaccines. Last week, the Africa CDC said the virus had been detected in 10 countries on the continent, with Congo seeing more than 96% of the cases and deaths.
With News Wire Services