Death Toll From Mpox In Africa Surges To 1,100 As Cases Exceed 42,000

ADDIS ABABA, Oct 19 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The death toll from Africa's ongoing mpox outbreak has reached 1,100, with a total of 42,438 cases, including 8,113 confirmed ones, since the beginning of 2024, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), reported Xinhua.

During an online media briefing Thursday evening, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said that the African continent reported 3,051 new cases and 50 new deaths in the past week alone.

"For the first time, we have cases in Zambia reported on Oct 8, and we have cases in Zimbabwe reported on Oct 12. We also have additional cases in Uganda and Ghana. Unfortunately, we have the first death in Kenya," Kaseya said.

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The Africa CDC said 18 African countries have been impacted by the mpox outbreak since the start of this year, with all five regions of the continent affected by the outbreak.

Data from the African Union's specialised healthcare agency showed that Central Africa is the hardest-hit region, accounting for 86.4 per cent of all cases reported and more than 99 per cent of all mpox-related deaths.

It said the number of mpox cases reported this year marked a staggering 380 per cent increase compared to the total cases recorded in 2023.

The Africa CDC also expressed concern over new outbreaks in two prisons in Uganda, with cases having no travel history outside the country.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, was first detected in monkeys in the laboratory in 1958. It is a rare viral disease typically spread through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and other contaminated materials. The infection usually causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

In mid-August, the Africa CDC declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of continental security. Soon after, the World Health Organisation also declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, activating its highest level of global alert for mpox for the second time in two years.

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA