WHO is Supporting African Countries to Strengthen Monkeypox Surveillance and Response Actions – African Business

Seven African countries have collectively reported to WHO (World Health Organization) almost 1400 cases of monkeypox (1392 suspected, 44 confirmed), so far in this year. This is a preliminary report and represents the year up to mid-May.

The cases were reported from Cameroon (Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Liberia, Nigeria and the Republic of the Congo. The 2022 cases are slightly lower than the 2021 cases.

Although the virus has not been spread to non-endemic areas in Africa, it is still not endemic. The virus has been spreading to more countries in recent years, even within those already affected by outbreaks. Monkeypox in Nigeria, for example, was initially reported in the south of Nigeria until 2019. However, the virus has spread to the central, eastern, and northern parts of the country since 2020.

WHO and its partners are trying to understand the cause and magnitude of a global monkeypox epidemic. This is unusual as many cases are being reported from non-endemic countries, which have not previously seen significant spread among people who have never traveled to endemic areas.

“We must avoid having two different responses to monkeypox – one for Western countries which are only now experiencing significant transmission and another for Africa,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We must work together and have joined-up global actions which include Africa’s experience, expertise and needs. This is the only way to ensure we reinforce surveillance and better understand the evolution of the disease, while scaling up readiness and response to curb any further spread.”

Monkeypox first became apparent in humans in 1970, in Africa. Since then, most cases have been reported in rainforest and rural areas. For decades, only a handful of cases were reported. Then, in 2017, there was an abrupt spike with more than 2800 suspected case reports in five countries. This surge continued, reaching a peak in 2020 with 6300 suspected cases. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 95% of the total. The number of cases fell to around 3200 last year. These spikes can be attributed to deforestation and human infiltration into the monkeypox host habitats.

“Africa has successfully contained past monkeypox outbreaks and from what we know about the virus and modes of transmission, the rise in cases can be stopped,” said Dr Moeti. “It is critical that the continent has equal access to effective monkeypox vaccines and that globally we ensure vaccine doses reach every community in need. While parts of the continent might have built up some immunity against the disease, there are populations that are particularly vulnerable such as health workers and contacts of cases.”

Since 1979’s global eradication, monkeypox is the most widespread form of smallpox. orthopoxvirusInfection in humans. The protection against monkeypox is demonstrated by vaccination against smallpox. Although a new vaccine has been approved for smallpox and monkeypox, it is not yet widely distributed.

WHO works closely with African countries, regional institutions and technical and financial partners to support efforts to improve laboratory diagnosis, disease surveillance, preparedness and response actions to prevent future infections. The WHO provides crucial technical guidance to assist with testing, clinical care and preventing and controlling infection. It also teaches how to educate the public about monkeypox, its risks and how to work with communities to combat it.

Monkeypox can spread from animals and humans to humans, but it can also spread between people by close contact with infected persons and/or objects such as clothes and sheets. The symptoms include skin rash, lesions, fever, muscle aches and back pain. They can last for up to four weeks. Many patients will experience symptoms that resolve themselves, but it is possible for severe cases to lead to death. The case fatality rate, which is the percentage of people who die from causes other than those diagnosed, is approximately 3-6%. 

Distributed by APO Group for WHO Regional Office for Africa