Ethiopia's Addis Ababa, August 13, 2024 For the first time since the organization's founding in 2017, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has formally designated the current Mpox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).

This proclamation gives the organization the authority to direct and oversee responses to major health emergencies in accordance with Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statutes. According to the statute, the Africa CDC is required to "coordinate and support Member States in health emergency responses, particularly those declared Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as well as health promotion and disease prevention through strengthening health systems, addressing environmental health, neglected tropical diseases, and communicable and non-communicable diseases."

In order to effectively combat the Mpox pandemic using a One Health approach, the declaration will make it possible to mobilize resources across affected countries, unlock crucial funding, strengthen Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), increase efforts in laboratory testing and surveillance, and improve human resource capacities.
The necessity of prompt and decisive action was underscored by Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa CDC: "Today, we declare this PHECS to mobilize our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act—swiftly and decisively." This gives us the ability to build new alliances, improve our healthcare systems, inform the public, and provide life-saving treatments where they are most needed. Restrictions on travel are not necessary at this time.
There have been reports of Mpox outbreaks in at least 12 African countries, including formerly untouched countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. 517 deaths and 2,863 cases have been confirmed so far in 2024 in these countries, mostly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Over 17,000 suspected cases have been reported on the continent thus far, a sharp rise from 7,146 instances in 2022 and 14,957 cases in 2023. When we take into account the numerous flaws in contact tracking, laboratory testing, and monitoring, this is simply the tip of the iceberg. Dr. Kaseya emphasized the seriousness of the problem by saying, "This is a crisis that requires our collective action, not just another challenge." We are required under the Africa CDC Statutes, Article 3, Paragraph F, to take the lead and organize the response in the event that a public health emergency of worldwide importance is declared. The WHO designated mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) during the period of May 2022 to July 2023. But throughout this time, Africa did not get the help it sorely needed. The increasing numbers in Africa were mostly disregarded as the number of cases worldwide started to fall. "We urge our international partners to seize this moment to act differently and collaborate closely with Africa CDC to provide the necessary support to our Member States," stressed Dr. Kaseya, underscoring the necessity for a shift in strategy. He went on, pleading with international allies, saying, "We need you to stand with us during this crucial hour. With few resources, Africa has traditionally been at the forefront of the battle against infectious illnesses. A worldwide effort is necessary to combat the mpox pandemic. We require your assistance, knowledge, and unity. The world can no longer afford to ignore this problem.

He clarified that extensive deliberations preceded the emergency declaration, including a unanimous vote by the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), which was presided over by Professor Salim Abdul Karim, the director of CAPRISA, a Durban, South Africa-based AIDS research program.
Prof. Karim emphasized that the situation may be worse than is currently thought based on scant observation and data. When the WHO designated mumps as a public health emergency in 2022, the number of cases had dramatically grown. He stated, "It's evident that we're dealing with a different situation with far more cases, leading to a higher burden of illness." Concerns over the increasing death toll, especially the possible connection between HIV and Mumps, were also brought up by him. "We fear that the correlation with HIV may be causing an increase in deaths in Africa," he said.
Concerns about cross-border transmission to nations that had not yet been impacted led the ECG to recommend the thoughtful distribution of the few vaccinations that are now available. The absence of diagnostic capabilities was noted as a serious problem that needed to be addressed immediately, and the ECG encouraged the creation of response plans by pledging to offer guidance and assistance.
A 25-person Incident Management Team has been established by the Africa CDC to handle the Mpox outbreak on the continent. The team's goal is to assist impacted and at-risk nations. The team is situated in the epicenter of the Mpox epidemic. Additionally, Africa CDC has partnered with Bavarian Nordic and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) of the European Commission to supply more than 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, the only Mpox vaccine that has received approval from the FDA and EMA.

MPOX INDICATIONS, PROTECTION, AND MEDICATION

The monkeypox virus, which has two separate clades: Clade I and Clade II, is the source of mpox. Skin rash or mucosal lesions that remain for two to four weeks, fever, headache, back discomfort, muscular pains, poor energy, and enlarged lymph nodes are typical symptoms. Humans can contract the virus by coming into close personal contact with an infected individual, contaminated objects, or infected animals.