MPOX

Zimbabwe has recently confirmed its inaugural two cases of mpox, coming on the heels of Zambia’s declaration of its own first instance of the disease. While the specific strains of the virus in Zimbabwe remain unidentified, it appears that the individuals who tested positive either traveled to or made visits from Tanzania and South Africa. Just days prior, Zambia reported its initial mpox case, although the particulars about the viral strain were not disclosed. The health ministry of Zambia revealed that a 32-year-old…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pinpointed Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), and Burundi as the hardest-hit nations in Africa amid the ongoing mpox outbreak. The latest multi-country situation report from the WHO paints a sobering picture: DR Congo has logged 30,766 suspected cases, 5,610 confirmed cases, and regrettably, 25 fatalities. Meanwhile, Burundi has reported 2,188 suspected cases, with 853 confirmed, yet it has fortunately not endured any deaths. A glance at the data, spanning from…

"Life's a wild ride, ain't it?" mused grandpa Joe as he rocked gently on his porch chair, soaking in the mellow hues of the setting sun. "You never really know where it's headed; it's a winding road full of surprises and detours." Such whimsical reflections often emerged during these tranquil evening moments, a time cherished in the family for generations. Nestled amidst rolling hills, the family homestead had been standing since time immemorial. Its creaky wooden floors and sun-dappled windows spoke of stories etched in…

Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni in Nairobi on September 18, 2024. Image: HANDOUT Kenya's proposed Sh6.7 billion Mpox response fund has been flagged as insufficient and misprioritized, according to various advocacy groups. Critics have pointed out a glaring omission: there's no budget allocation for vaccine procurement. Speaking in Nairobi, these groups urged the government to reallocate funds towards crucial areas like vaccine acquisition, advanced diagnostics, and community education. The…

Mpox, a virus that has caused a considerable stir, has seen a worrying uptick in cases across the African continent. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) finds itself at the heart of this growing crisis. As of January 2024, a staggering 3,800 confirmed cases have been reported, cutting across 15 nations, with DR Congo bearing the brunt— over 90% of these infections are within its borders. This alarming situation has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to ring the alarm bells. They've labeled this…

The first shipment of mpox vaccine arrived in the Congolese capital on Thursday, three weeks after the World Health Organization declared outbreaks in 12 African countries a global emergency. The European Union, through its emergency center HERA, donated 100,000 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine, produced by Danish Bavarian Nordic. Another 100,000 doses are expected to arrive on Saturday, according to Congolese authorities. UNICEF will monitor the vaccination campaign in the hardest-hit provinces,…

Mpox has long been a reality in Africa, but the continent still lacks access to vaccines, highlighting stark inequalities in global distribution as wealthier nations vaccinate populations at much lower risk. Experts warn that this disparity – combined with competing health crises and sluggish regulatory processes – puts millions of Africans at risk as the virus mutates rapidly, spreads from person to person and crosses borders at an alarming rate. "The shortfall in the distribution of mpox…

Swedish health authorities said Thursday they had registered the first case outside Africa of the more dangerous variant of mpox, a viral infection spread through close contact. The announcement came a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency for the second time in two years, warning that the virus could eventually spread across international borders. Sweden's public health authority confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the case was the same…

The World Health Organization declared a global emergency after mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa on Wednesday. Earlier this week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, with more than 500 deaths, and called for international help to stop the spread of the virus. "This is something that should concern us all ... The potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying," said WHO Director-General…

New Mpox Outbreaks Erupt in Kenya and Central African Republic Kenya and the Central African Republic have reported fresh outbreaks of mpox, with health officials racing against time to curb the virus’s spread in an area already grappling with limited vaccine supplies. This past Wednesday, Nairobi confirmed its outbreak after identifying a case in a traveler who crossed into Rwanda from Uganda via a southern border checkpoint in Kenya. The Central African Republic announced its situation on Monday, revealing that the…