New Monkeypox Outbreaks Declared in Kenya and Central African Republic
African health officials are urgently addressing new outbreaks of monkeypox in Kenya and the Central African Republic (CAR), amidst a region grappling with limited vaccine supplies.
Kenya declared a new outbreak on Wednesday after detecting a case in a passenger traveling from Uganda to Rwanda at a southern border post. Meanwhile, the CAR was the first to announce a new outbreak on Monday, with the disease spreading to its capital, Bangui.
Monkeypox, a viral disease originating in wild animals and occasionally jumping to humans, can spread from person to person. Pierre Somsé, the CAR’s Minister of Public Health, expressed deep concern, stating, “We are very concerned about the cases of monkeypox that are ravaging Region 7 of the country.”
Monkeypox gained global attention during an international outbreak in 2022, spreading to over 100 countries. The disease has been endemic in parts of central and west Africa for decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed sexual transmission of monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the first time in November, complicating containment efforts.
While Western countries have managed to contain outbreaks with vaccines and treatments, these resources are scarce in Africa. The DRC, the worst-hit country on the continent, has reported over 12,000 cases and at least 470 deaths this year, marking its largest outbreak to date. South Africa, which last reported a case in 2022, has also seen a resurgence this year.
In the CAR, where infections are more prevalent in remote areas, authorities are urging public support for government measures to curb the disease’s spread.
The East African Community (EAC) regional bloc has issued a statement alerting member states about the outbreak in Congo, which borders five countries in the region. Burundi, one of these neighbors, has already confirmed three cases.
Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the EAC’s deputy secretary-general, called on member states to “provide necessary information on the disease and take preventive measures.”
As health officials in Africa scramble to manage these new outbreaks, the urgent need for vaccines and treatments becomes increasingly clear. With proactive regional cooperation and public awareness, there is hope for controlling the spread of monkeypox across the continent.
Source: Africanews with AP
