Amid Rising Mpox Cases in Africa, Global Health Authorities Sound the Alarm
Global health authorities are raising urgent concerns about the rising number of mpox infections in Africa. This alarming trend has resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses, significantly impacting nations that had previously been spared from the viral disease.
The surge in mpox cases this year has been unprecedented, with over 15,000 cases reported. This figure already surpasses the total number of cases recorded in 2023. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been particularly hard-hit, where mpox has been endemic for decades. The current outbreak has reached record levels, predominantly affecting and killing children. The virus has even spread to countries like Kenya and Ivory Coast, which had not previously experienced outbreaks.
The Response from Health Authorities
Africa CDC and WHO’s Immediate Actions
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is likely to declare a health emergency soon. This announcement is expected to be made next week, as indicated by officials on Thursday. Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that a committee will be convened to consider declaring an international health emergency. Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) has issued an alert, urging clinicians to be vigilant for symptoms in travelers from affected countries. However, they emphasize that the risk in the United States remains low.
“This is a major alarm for the world. We are losing the youth in Africa,” said Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa CDC, during a news briefing. “This new incident demonstrates the need for a collective and collaborative approach in curbing the spread of the disease.”
Mpox: A Historical Perspective and Recent Trends
The 2022 Global Mpox Outbreak
In 2022, a global mpox outbreak severely impacted gay communities in several countries that had rarely encountered the virus before. This prompted an aggressive public health response, including vaccination campaigns that were instrumental in containing the outbreak.
Recent Trends in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The situation in Congo has become increasingly concerning. This year alone, officials have recorded 13,800 suspected and confirmed cases and 450 deaths. Alarmingly, children under the age of 15 account for 68 percent of cases and 85 percent of deaths. Most infections are spreading through contact with infected animals and within households, which is typical in endemic regions.
The Emergence of Clade 1b
New Strains and Their Impact
A new form of mpox, known as clade 1b, has emerged in eastern parts of Congo. This strain has been detected among sex workers and has spread to neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Clade 1b causes more severe illness compared to clade 2, which spread globally in 2022. However, the death rate remains low, with fewer than 1 percent of those infected succumbing to the virus.
The Lethality of Clade 1
Clade 1, the predecessor of clade 1b, is more lethal, with a death rate of about 5.5 percent in the Congo province where it is most prevalent. Experts attribute the higher death rate to the disproportionate impact on vulnerable children and the region’s weak healthcare system.
Transmission Dynamics and Challenges
Sexual Transmission and Population Movement
While the 2022 global outbreak was primarily driven by male-to-male sexual contact, the current spread in Africa involves heterosexual networks as well. This includes instances where male travelers solicit female sex workers in parts of Congo close to other countries. “Sexual transmission in areas with significant population movement is particularly worrisome given the implications for rapid spread,” said Anne Rimoin, an epidemiologist who has studied the virus in Congo for over two decades.
Unique Transmission Routes in Africa
The virus spreads in Africa through routes not typically seen in Western countries. These include healthcare settings where workers have limited access to personal protective equipment and smaller households with tight living spaces. Outbreaks have also been recorded in displacement camps in conflict-ridden areas.
Resource Limitations and Vaccine Distribution
Challenges in the Global South
The countries most affected by the latest outbreak face significant resource limitations. They lack the ample supplies of vaccines and antivirals that helped end the international health emergency last year. “The global south has always faced massive resource limitations, and that is certainly no different here,” said Jason Kindrachuk, an associate professor at the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine.
Efforts to Expand Vaccination
Vaccine distribution poses logistical challenges in Congo and other parts of Africa, where the healthcare system is already stretched thin. Some heavily affected rural communities can only be reached by boat. Despite these challenges, efforts to expand vaccination are gaining momentum. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has accelerated steps to improve vaccine access in lower-income countries. This includes facilitating the approval process and enabling international aid organizations to purchase and distribute vaccines.
The Role of the U.S. CDC
Collaborative Efforts
The U.S. CDC is collaborating with Congolese officials to develop a targeted vaccination plan. This plan aims to prioritize those most at risk and roll out vaccines in phases once the country approves them. According to Rimoin, the vaccination campaign could begin as early as this fall.
FAQs
What is mpox?
Mpox is a viral disease that primarily spreads through contact with infected animals or humans. It can cause severe illness and death, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Why is the current outbreak in Africa concerning?
The current outbreak is concerning due to the high number of cases and deaths, particularly among children. The virus has also spread to countries that had not previously experienced outbreaks.
What is clade 1b?
Clade 1b is a new strain of mpox that has emerged in eastern Congo. It causes more severe illness than previous strains but has a lower death rate.
How is mpox transmitted?
Mpox can be transmitted through contact with infected animals, within households, and through sexual contact. In Africa, the virus also spreads in healthcare settings and displacement camps.
What are the challenges in vaccine distribution?
Vaccine distribution in Africa faces logistical challenges, including limited healthcare resources and difficult-to-reach rural communities. Efforts are underway to improve vaccine access and distribution.
Conclusion
The rising number of mpox cases in Africa has prompted global health authorities to take urgent action. With over 15,000 cases reported this year, the outbreak has had a devastating impact, particularly on children. Health authorities like the Africa CDC and WHO are considering declaring health emergencies to curb the spread of the virus. Efforts to expand vaccination are gaining momentum, but significant challenges remain. The situation underscores the need for a collective and collaborative approach to address this public health crisis.
