Africa CDC Considers Emergency Over Severe Mpox Outbreak

The Africa CDC is poised to declare a continental public health emergency as mpox cases surge by 160% compared to last year, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accounting for over 90% of the 15,132 cases reported so far. The outbreak has resulted in 461 deaths and has spread to 16 countries, including first-time reports in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced an emergency meeting to determine if the outbreak should be declared a global health emergency. The newer, more virulent clade 1b strain found in the DRC is raising significant concerns due to its higher fatality rate and easier transmission. Both Africa CDC and WHO are mobilizing resources and technical assistance to control the spread, although vaccine shortages remain a critical challenge.