WHO reports more than 14,000 confirmed cases of mpox in Africa

Since the beginning of 2024, at least 13 thousand laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox (mpox) have been registered in the African region. This was reported on the website of the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 21.

Three countries - Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda - account for about 97% of all reported cases this year, it specified. WHO is providing countries with critical technical and financial support to respond effectively to outbreaks.

"Gabon, which, like South Africa, Cameroon, Guinea and Congo, is no longer estimated to be experiencing active mpox transmission in the community, represents another example of how early intervention can bring significant benefits," the WHO said in a release.

Earlier, on November 16, the first case of mpox (clade I) infection in the United States was reported. According to doctors, the patient recently returned from East Africa, where the outbreak of mpox continues.

Before that, on October 30, it became known about the first case of detection of a new strain of mpox in the UK. This was reported by the British Public Health Agency (UKHSA).

In August, WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared a public health emergency due to mpox and called on the international community to join the collection of more than 2 million vaccines.

Mpox is a rare viral disease potentially dangerous for immunocompromised people. The infection is accompanied by fever, intoxication, enlargement of lymph nodes and subsequent spread of the rash: first in the form of spots that transform into vesicles, after opening they form ulcers, after their healing - crusts, and when they fall off - scars. In mild cases, the disease usually goes away on its own and lasts from 14 to 21 days.