Kinkini Gupta
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Written By: Kinkini Gupta | Updated : September 14, 2024 11:42 AM IST
Mpox Outbreak In Africa: 107 New Deaths And 3,160 Cases Recorded In One Week
Africa is witnessing a very severe mpox outbreak with at least 107 cases reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo alone and 3,160 new cases in one week. This data has surfaced from the continental health body who also said on September 12th that this is "not acceptable."
Dr Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said that 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases had been recorded in the past week, just a week after his agency and the UN World Health Organisation launched a continental response plan.
"In the one week, we lost 107 (people). It's too much. It's not acceptable," Kaseya said as he emphasised the need for stronger cross-border surveillance.
As per reports from Congo, men have recorded the highest positivity rate up until now with 63 per cent and children under the age of 15 have recorded a positivity rate of 41 per cent.
Kaseya said, There was a need for increased testing and resources to support it, adding that the continent was not testing enough and that it "cannot rely on only confirmed cases for decision-making and response." Mpox can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, and Kaseya said more research is needed to determine how common this is.
This is a developing story, stay tuned to this page for more updates on mpox in Africa.
