monkeypox
The African Union's health authority on Tuesday declared a public health emergency over an outbreak of mpox whose spread has been on the rise since July.
In an online briefing on Tuesday, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Jean Kaseya called for aggressive efforts to tackle the outbreak.
According to CDC data as of August 4, there had been 38,465 cases of mpox and 1,456 deaths in Africa since January 2022.
The outbreak has swept through several African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Nearly all east and central African countries have now confirmed cases.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact. It causes rashes, flu-like symptoms and pus-filled wounds. Although most cases are mild, there have been confirmed fatalities.
The World Health Organization said Tuesday said that its own emergency committee will sit on Wednesday to discuss whether a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) should be declared.
00:54
Ebola death toll in the DR Congo rises to 600 with over 1,700 confirmed cases
01:31
Cancer kills 26,000 a day, WHO exposes deadly rich-poor survival gap
01:02
Health workers in DR Congo's Ebola outbreak go on strike over pay issues
01:46
Parents of autistic children in Guinea face stigma and challenges
01:02
Confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo rise to 1,502
01:57
Border between DR Congo and Rwanda reopens amid Ebola outbreak