MPOX

The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has recently raised concerns over the sharp uptick in mpox cases across the nation. With 69 "active cases" reported, the situation demands attention. This surge isn't just a local phenomenon; NPHIL has confirmed that these viral strains are highly infectious and have crossed borders into neighboring countries. In response, authorities are urging schools, places of worship, and businesses to take precautionary measures. Imagine entering a bustling market and noticing…

CDC Issues Health Alert on Mpox Outbreak The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory due to an alarming outbreak of mpox in Central Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This advisory serves as a significant reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by infectious diseases—ones that can cross borders in ways we never quite anticipate. Since the beginning of 2024, a handful of travel-related mpox cases have appeared in the United…

Ethiopia has recently reported its first confirmed cases of mpox, affecting a 21-day-old infant and the child's mother in the southern border town of Moyale. This alarming news was shared by health authorities on a Sunday that many will likely remember not just for its tranquil pace but for this significant health alert. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, along with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, has indicated that the virus was probably introduced from neighboring nations. It appears that the infant’s father, who…

The Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) have urgently appealed to lawmakers for increased funding to tackle the ongoing mpox outbreak. Currently, four active cases have been confirmed. This request emerged during a recent public hearing, where the House of Representatives invited health officials to shed light on the troubling resurgence of the disease. Dugbeh Chris Nyan, the head of NPHIL, emphasized the critical need for resources to enhance the institute's operations and…

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued a fervent warning concerning the worsening humanitarian plight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), with a pronounced emphasis on the tumultuous region of South Kivu province. As one might wonder, how did a place so inherently rich become a breeding ground for crises of such magnitude? Director-General Jean Kaseya, in an expression resembling both concern and urgency, articulated during a weekly virtual press briefing that the…

In a troubling development, the Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC) has raised alarms over the deteriorating situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region, already grappling with a serious outbreak of mpox, has seen escalating violence that has tragically compelled over 600 patients to abandon their treatment centers. This situation illustrates a grim reality: healthcare accessibility can crumble under the weight of conflict. Mpox, a viral disease that manifests through severe skin…

Vaccination Against Mpox South Sudan has encountered its inaugural case of mpox, as confirmed last Friday—a grim milestone that has placed the nation on high alert. The discovery was made when a patient succumbed to the clutches of this rare virus, following a gauntlet of diagnostic tests. James Hoth Mai, serving as Acting Health Minister, illuminated the details during a press briefing held in the pulsating heart of Juba. On January 22, a patient first displayed harrowing symptoms, including fever, a…

With the addition of two newly confirmed cases, Kenya's mpox tally now stands at a concerning 33. It's a number that keeps health officials on their toes, perhaps reaching for the antacid more often these days. But where do these cases come from? As of this Friday, they hail from the counties of Kericho and Taita Taveta, marking the virus's unwelcome trek across 12 counties. Mary Muriuki, the unflappable principal secretary from the Health Ministry, delivered this sobering reality check during a recent press…

NAIROBI, Kenya - In a rather unwelcome update, Kenya announced the confirmation of two additional mpox cases this past Friday. That pushes the nation's total count to a less-than-comforting number of 33. Picture this: in a brief yet sobering press release, Mary Muriuki, who helms the reins as principal secretary at the Health Ministry, informed the public. It’s a tale of viral spread across two picturesque locales, Kericho and Taita Taveta. These counties are now unwittingly part of a broader, unnerving tapestry spanning…

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is on the rise across Africa, and health officials are sounding the alarm about the risks of becoming too relaxed. According to a recent update from the World Health Organization (WHO), numerous regions on the continent are grappling with outbreaks linked to several virus variants, or clades. As of December 1, 2024, WHO reported that over 13,000 cases have been confirmed in 20 distinct nations. This report sheds light on the fact that different clades have different modes of transmission. For…