Africa CDC declares Mpox a public health emergency

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially declared the Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).

This marks the first such declaration by the agency since its inception in 2017.

The declaration, under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statutes, enables the organization to coordinate responses to significant health emergencies.

The statute mandates Africa CDC to “coordinate and support Member States in health emergency responses, particularly those declared PHECS or Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as well as health promotion and disease prevention through health systems strengthening, addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases, environmental health, and Neglected Tropical Diseases.”

The declaration will also enable the mobilization of resources across affected countries, unlocking essential funding, strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), boosting surveillance and laboratory testing efforts, and enhancing human resource capacities to respond effectively to Mpox through a holistic approach.

RELATED STORY: Monkeypox officially declared a global health emergency.

Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya emphasized the urgency of swift and decisive action, saying: “Today, we declare this PHECS to mobilize our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act—swiftly and decisively.

“This empowers us to forge new partnerships, strengthen our health systems, educate our communities, and deliver life-saving interventions where they are needed most. There is no need for travel restrictions at this time.”

At least 13 African countries, including previously unaffected nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported Mpox outbreaks.

So far in 2024, according to the agency, these countries have confirmed 2,863 cases and 517 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

“Suspected cases across the continent have surged past 17,000, a significant increase from 7,146 cases in 2022 and 14,957 cases in 2023. This is just the tip of the iceberg when we consider the many weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory testing and contact tracing.”