The surge of the Mpox virus in Africa is becoming increasingly alarming, according to Jean Kaseya, the Director General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. In a public statement shared on X, Kaseya stressed the urgent need for action, declaring, “I must state unequivocally that if we do not take measures now, Mpox will spiral out of control.” He highlighted that over 1,000 fatalities have been reported, and the virus has expanded its reach to an additional 12 countries between April and August.
Kaseya emphasized the ineffectiveness of merely holding meetings and discussions without tangible follow-through. “We continue to discuss pledges that have been made. It is crucial that we finalize these discussions next week to transform our commitments into real funding, resources, and vaccines for our nations,” he asserted.
The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is a specialized agency of the African Union dedicated to enhancing the public health infrastructure across the continent. On October 14, Health Director-General Patrick Amoth confirmed the first death from Mpox in Kenya.
He reported that there are currently 13 confirmed cases of Mpox in the country, with eight individuals having fully recovered and been discharged from medical care, while four patients are still receiving treatment across various hospitals. “One individual passed away due to an underlying health condition,” he noted.
Mpox was declared a public health emergency by the Africa Centre for Disease Control on August 14, following a similar designation by the World Health Organization, which recognized it as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). To support Kenya’s efforts in combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and improving Mpox diagnostics, the WHO has provided essential medical supplies.
This includes a donation of 15,215,000 tablets valued at approximately 213 million Kenyan shillings, aimed at eliminating diseases such as schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections. The upcoming mass drug administration campaign will target over 15 million people in 15 counties, focusing on regions with the highest disease burden, including the Coastal area, the Lake Victoria basin, and Western Kenya.
