Africa is battling a surge in mpox cases, prompting the Africa CDC and WHO to roll out a $600 million response plan. The six-month strategy aims to curb the outbreak, with 90% of cases concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Since January 2024, over 24,850 suspected cases and 643 deaths have been reported continent-wide. DRC alone accounts for 20,463 cases, driven by a new variant (clade 1b) first detected in 2023. The variant has already spread to countries like Sweden and Thailand, raising global alarms 🚨.
WHO and Africa CDC leaders stressed the urgency of cross-border collaboration. 'By working together, we can protect communities and halt this virus,' said WHO's Matshidiso Moeti. Vaccines have arrived in DRC, but distribution plans remain unclear amid ongoing humanitarian crises.
Guinea recently confirmed its first case, with tests underway to check for the clade 1b strain. Health experts warn: the clock is ticking ⏳.
