By Elizabeth Sitotombe
THE Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared a public health emergency over the growing Mpox, formerly known as monkey pox, outbreak in Africa.
According to the CDC, 34 countries in Africa are either reporting infections or are considered at high risk. The virus is believed to be spreading mostly through sexual networks.
South Africa’s Health Ministry, on August 13, announced the second death from Mpox in the country barely 24 hours after announcing the first death. The first case of Mpox was recorded five weeks ago in South Africa.
In the DRC, which is also experiencing the biggest outbreak according to WHO, more than 12 500 people have been infected, with 580 deaths being recorded since the outbreak.
Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya have since reported their first ever Mpox infections in August.
According to the Africa CDC, as of August 4, there have been 38 465 cases of Mpox and 1 456 deaths in Africa since January 2022. A sudden rise of Mpox cases was first announced by WHO in Europe in 2022 and had affected 12 countries including the UK, Spain, Belgium, France and the Netherlands, but soon spread to over a 100 countries prompting WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern that they would announce to be under control 10 months later.
The outbreak is believed to have been triggered by sexual contact, especially among gay and bisexual men.
But the CDC believes that the strain spreading in Africa is much more lethal than the strain found two years ago.
WHO has announced it will meet with other stakeholders to consider a global declaration.
“l declare with a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our African citizens. We declare Mpox a public health emergency of continental security. Mpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across our continent. Families have been torn apart and the pain and suffering has touched every corner of our continent,” said the head of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, in a media briefing.
Health officials in Zimbabwe have voiced their concerns over the outbreak, highlighting the country’s urgent need to put precautionary measures in place to ensure the safety of its citizens.
However, the Health and Child Care Ministry, in a statement, said it is prepared to protect citizens against Mpox and reiterated Government’s efforts in strengthening disease surveillance at all ports of entry.
What is Mpox?
According to the WHO, Mpox is a disease caused by the Mpox virus. It is a viral zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread between people. It was first discovered in 1958, when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. The first human case was recorded in 1970, in the DRC.
There are two types of virus: Clade 1 and Clade 11. Clade 1 is endemic to Central Africa and causes more severe illness and deaths while Clade 11, that caused the 2022 global outbreak, is less severe and is endemic to West Africa.,
Symptoms of Mpox
Symptoms of Mpox typically include a headache, muscle aches, back pain, fever, fatigue, skin rashes or lesions and swollen lymph nodes.
The rash usually begins within one or two days of the start of a fever. Lesions can be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid and can then crust, dry up and fall off. The number of lesions on one person can range from a few to several thousands.
The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. They can also be found on the mouth, genitals and eyes.
Symptoms usually last between two to four weeks and go away on their own without treatment. However, Mpox can lead to medical complications and even death.
Complications from severe cases of Mpox include pneumonia, disorientation and eye infections that can lead to loss of vision.
How does Mpox spread?
One can catch Mpox through close contact with someone who has symptoms. The rash and bodily fluids are very infectious.
The sharing of clothing, towels, bedding and eating utensils that have been used by an infected person can also affect others. Close interactions with someone who is infectious, including health workers, household members and sexual partners are, therefore, risky.
The virus can also spread from someone who is pregnant to the foetus through the placenta, or from an infected parent to child during or after birth.
Is Mpox sexually transmitted?
Many people have been asking if the disease is sexually transmitted. According to WHO, monkey pox can spread from one person to another through close physical contact, including sexual contact.
It is currently not known whether Mpox can be spread through sexual transmission routes, for example through semen or vaginal fluids. However skin-to-skin contact with lesions during sexual activities can spread the virus.
Mpox rash can resemble sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes and syphillis. The rash can be found on genitals and in the mouth, which is likely to contribute to transmission during sexual contact.
The risk of becoming infected with Mpox is, therefore, not limited to people who are sexually active.
Prevention
Steps for self-protection include, avoiding contact with someone presenting symptoms of Mpox — this means face-to-face and skin-to-skin contact.
Practising safer sex, keeping hands clean with water and soap, use of hand sanitisers and maintaining respiratory etiquette may reduce the risk of infection.
WHO warned that more cases are likely to be reported as more suspected cases are being investigated.
There is no specific vaccine for Mpox, but data shows that the vaccines that were used against smallpox are 85 percent effective against Mpox.
New-borns, children and people with underlying immune deficiencies may be at risk of more serious symptoms and death from Mpox.
