"What we're seeing is tip of the iceberg" because of weaknesses in the surveillance system, says Dr. Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO's emergency committee.
The Situation in Africa
The World Health Organization has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern due to a surge in cases, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where children represent the majority of reported cases.
Comments from WHO Officials
Dr. Dimie Ogoina emphasized that current surveillance weaknesses suggest the number of cases could be significantly higher than reported. He stated that the situation should concern everyone.
Scaling Up Response
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared mpox an emergency as well, indicating the need for a proactive response instead of reactive measures, especially for children affected by the outbreak.
Global Perspective
The declaration has garnered attention from health experts worldwide, who warn of the urgent need for international support to combat the ongoing outbreak in Africa, which seems to be spreading to new areas including those that had never reported mpox cases previously.
U.S. Response and Support
While the risk of mpox in the U.S. remains low, the CDC has issued alerts to raise awareness. The U.S. is also providing financial and logistical support to help combat the outbreak in the DRC.
Concerns Over Vaccine Availability
Despite international efforts to combat mpox, the Africa CDC notes a severe shortage of vaccines necessary to address the outbreak, emphasizing the critical and immediate needs of African countries.
