Several African countries have recently reported numerous cases of Monkeypox, with central Africa emerging as the epicenter of the latest outbreak. On Tuesday, August 13, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared Monkeypox, also known as mpox, a continent-wide public health emergency.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recorded a significant number of cases, alongside other neighboring countries. This latest strain of Monkeypox is more virulent and spreads more easily through non-sexual contact, affecting both families and heterosexual populations.
The DRC has reported over 11,000 cases and 450 deaths, with other African nations such as Burundi, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda also impacted.
In the United States, Monkeypox cases have remained relatively stable compared to the spikes seen in 2022. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. experienced a major outbreak in 2022, with over 30,000 cases reported nationwide. However, by early 2024, the number of cases had significantly decreased, with fewer than 200 cases reported in the first quarter of the year.
Despite the decline, health officials continue to stay alert, as the virus still poses a risk, especially in communities with higher exposure rates. The CDC is closely monitoring the situation and has issued guidelines to help reduce the risk of infection. Vaccination efforts have been intensified, focusing on high-risk groups, including those with close contact with confirmed cases and individuals in certain high-risk environments. Additionally, the U.S. government is working to increase vaccine availability and enhance public education to prevent the further spread of the virus.
0 Comments