Mpox outbreak in Africa: WHO declares emergency

Lailuma Sadid
Credit: Reuters

Belgium (The Brussels Morning newspaper): Mpox is being reported in Central Africa, with over 600 deaths and more than 24000 cases, mostly from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it an international public health emergency and asked for collaborative action in monitoring, vaccination, and therapy.

According to the resources, Mpox, the disease, was known as monkeypox and widespread this year in Central Africa. Approximately 24,000 new cases have been reported from 13 countries in Africa. The situation is dire in Congo, with many infected persons and high mortality rates being reported. Health professionals are worried about how it affects the population and health facilities. They mentioned that this is a serious issue under close observation by public health authorities. It spreads very fast; hence, there is a need for a rush to improve medical care services coupled with assistance from other nations. They are trying hard to control the situation through close monitoring, better testing techniques, and getting more vaccines and treatments. It has been said that it shows how difficult it is to manage diseases in underdeveloped areas with poor health services and why worldwide collaboration is required for its solution.

How is WHO addressing the global pox crisis?

The World Health Organization claimed that we all should join hands in this important fight against the disease since it is highly important. They are planning a strategy for controlling the sickness while reducing its infection rates. They will improve the monitoring of new cases; provide medicines and experts to the countries; and vaccinate those who need it most. This planned strategy is really important to make sure that nobody dies because they don’t have the right medicine. Belgium donated its life-saving vaccines for some critical diseases to DR Congo. They want other European countries to do the same. It is like sharing to save those who require the most protection. Belgium notified the European Health Agency and ordered 215,000 illness vaccines. The first batch of vaccines landed yesterday. Moreover, Belgium keeps on checking the situation within the country and insists that there’s nothing to fear about.

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Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
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Lailuma Sadid is a former diplomat in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Embassy to the kingdom of Belgium, in charge of NATO. She attended the NATO Training courses and speakers for the events at NATO H-Q in Brussels, and also in Nederland, Germany, Estonia, and Azerbaijan. Sadid has is a former Political Reporter for Pajhwok News Agency, covering the London, Conference in 2006 and Lisbon summit in 2010.
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