Global efforts to combat the mpox epidemic continue in Africa, where there are currently three suspected cases of mpox, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). More than 28,000 of these people are in the Central African region.
Officials from the organization said at a press conference Thursday that there are more than 28,000 suspected cases of mpox in the Central African region.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the epicenter of MPOX, with at least 840 deaths from the outbreak since the beginning of the year, according to Africa CDC officials.
“It is clear that cases are increasing in all affected regions of Africa,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa CDC.
MPOX cases in Congo are particularly deadly because they are caused by clade 1b variants Image: Moses sawAWAWA/AP Photo/picture Alliance
Vaccination challenges
Kaseya said many countries have recorded suspected cases, but a lack of testing makes it difficult to include those numbers in case updates.
According to the Africa CDC, more than $800 million (€718 million) has been pledged for the mpox response.
However, in hard-hit countries, vaccination programs against infectious diseases are being limited by a shortage of vaccine doses.
The Africa CDC said it had secured about 4.3 million doses of vaccine so far, but added that more than 10 million doses were needed to contain the outbreak.
Danish biotech company Bavarian Nordic announced on Thursday that it has signed a deal with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide one million doses of its mpox vaccine Ginneos to affected countries in Africa.
The doses are expected to be available by the end of this year, it said.
Germany will donate 100,000 doses of mpox vaccine to Congo and other African countries to help contain the outbreak.
Berlin will also provide financial support to this effort by providing funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) and supporting partners in Africa through the Gavi Vaccine Alliance.
Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Berlin’s aim was to “support in solidarity the international efforts to contain MPOX on the African continent.”
US President Joe Biden has announced that he will donate 1 million doses of the MPOX vaccine to Africa to help in this fight.
The United States is also providing at least $500 million in funding to African countries to support their response efforts.
“We must act now to confront mpox,” Biden said.
Japan also pledged 3 million vaccine doses, the largest number ever pledged.
Vaccine distribution to affected countries
“This week we will send vaccines to several countries including Rwanda, South Africa, Burundi, Central African Republic and Cameroon,” Kaseya said.
Rwanda has already begun a vaccination campaign targeting people in high-risk areas. It is the first country in Africa to do so.
“I congratulate Rwanda on starting this campaign,” Kaseya told reporters.
Congo’s vaccination campaign is set to begin next month, according to the country’s health officials.
MPOX in Africa: Symptoms, prevention of spread, and treatment
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Meanwhile, Congolese officials say infections among children are rapidly increasing.
Dr. Thierry Turano, chief physician of the Nyiragongo health district in Goma, one of the worst-affected areas in eastern Congo, said the impact of the ongoing conflict in the region is making it even more difficult to contain the spread of the disease. He told DW. .
“There are currently more than 400,000 displaced people in the region, and unfortunately this epidemic period has also caused the defection of some of our partners,” Turano said, adding that governments need to help combat the spread of mpox. intervention is required, he added.
South Kivu province begins vaccination drive
Meanwhile, in Congo’s South Kivu province, the first phase of a 10-day vaccination campaign will begin on October 2, officials announced.
Justin Bengehia, head of monkeypox response operations in South Kivu province, told DW there is still not enough vaccine.
“Of the state’s 34 health regions, 32 are affected. However, vaccine orders were placed while only three health regions are ‘hot spots.’
Meanwhile, some local organizations are raising awareness among residents about accepting vaccinations.
Daniel Birindois, a member of France’s Les Amis de la Nature (Friends of Nature), told DW that mobilizing volunteers to educate people about mpox is essential for the success of the vaccination campaign.
“There is never a lack of resistance. But we are working hard and persistently to raise awareness,” Bilindwa said, adding that cases of mpox have been detected among hairdressers. added.
Virologist explains why WHO sounded the alarm on mpx virus
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Bukavu City is the epicenter of the mpox outbreak in South Kivu Province. The country’s health officials say they are committed to supporting the success of the vaccination drive.
“Why did it take so long? I can’t say. But I know that we were making all the preparations to be able to deploy these vaccines,” said the head of South Kivu’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Coordinating physician Dr. Joseph Matundanya said. D.W.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can enter the body through skin damage or the respiratory system.
It can be spread through close contact with someone who has the virus, such as through skin-to-skin contact such as kissing, hugging, sex, or massage.
Once infected, the pus-filled rash can last up to four weeks and can be very painful.
Editor: Keith Walker
