The World Health Organization (WHO) is convening an emergency meeting of global experts to address a surge in cases of a highly contagious and deadly mpox variant in Africa.
The outbreak, primarily concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has seen a dramatic increase in cases, with children bearing the brunt of the disease. Reports indicate that the variant is spreading rapidly and has a mortality rate of up to 10%.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the emergency meeting on Wednesday, expressing deep concern over the situation. The organization has allocated $1 million in emergency funds to support response efforts.
“We must not allow this outbreak to spiral out of control,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s outbreak department head. “Swift and decisive action is crucial to protect vulnerable populations.”
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed mpox cases in ten African countries, with the DRC accounting for the vast majority. The outbreak has spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, and the Central African Republic.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact and can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. While the disease is often mild, it can be fatal, especially in children and immunocompromised individuals.
The WHO declared mpox a global health emergency in 2022 due to a widespread outbreak affecting primarily gay and bisexual men. While this outbreak was largely contained in Western countries through vaccination and treatment, these resources remain scarce in Africa.
The emergence of the new, more deadly variant has heightened fears of a wider epidemic, prompting urgent calls for increased support and global cooperation to combat the disease.
