Current Affairs-Topics

Mpox in Africa: A Resurging Viral Threat

Monkeypox (MPox) is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) and is characterized by skin rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The current outbreak in Africa has seen an unprecedented increase in cases since early 2024, with 15 African countries reporting outbreaks.

Understanding Mpox

  • Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV)
  • It belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus

Common symptoms include:

    • Skin rash or mucosal lesions lasting 2-4 weeks
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Muscle aches
    • Back pain
    • Low energy
    • Swollen lymph nodes

Transmission occurs through:

    • Physical contact with an infectious person
    • Contaminated materials
    • Infected animals
  • Treatment is supportive and aims to alleviate symptoms
  • New therapeutics are being developed and tested

Current Mpox Outbreak in Africa

  • Unprecedented increase in mpox cases since early 2024
  • 15 African countries reporting outbreaks
  • 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths in 2024 (as of the report date)
  • Compared to 1,145 cases and 7 deaths in all of 2023
  • Four previously unaffected countries now reporting cases:
    • Burundi,  Kenya,  Rwanda,  Uganda
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for over 90% of reported cases
  • New variant (clade 1b) emerged in September 2023 in DRC's eastern region
  • Cases of the new variant reported in Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya

Transmission Patterns and Concerns

Varied transmission patterns across the region:

    • Eastern DRC: New variant linked to sexual contact and high population movement
    • South Africa: Most cases among men who have sex with men
    • West and Central Africa: Associated with the 2022 global outbreak
  • WHO has elevated the outbreak response to the highest level
  • WHO Director-General called for an emergency committee meeting
  • Potential declaration as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
  • Priority is to rapidly interrupt virus transmission
  • Further analysis needed to understand transmission patterns

Response and Prevention Efforts

  • World Health Organization (WHO) working at global, regional, and national levels
  • Collaboration with Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Support for key response areas:
    • Disease surveillance
    • Diagnostic testing
    • Clinical care
    • Infection prevention and control
  • Efforts to access therapeutics and decentralize laboratory services
  • Increased awareness campaigns in communities
  • Enhanced field investigation and active case finding
  • Improved contact tracing
  • Financial support mobilization for affected countries
  • Advancing Emergency Use Listing Procedure for vaccines and treatments
  • Development of vaccination strategies and plans
  • Prevention relies on raising awareness and educating health workers

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