Addis Ababa, Nov 29 (NationPress) The total number of reported monkeypox cases in Africa this year has exceeded 59,200, with 20 nations impacted, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
During a virtual press briefing, Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff and head of the executive office at Africa CDC, indicated that the continent has recorded 59,220 cases of monkeypox since January, including 12,938 confirmed cases and over 1,164 fatalities, resulting in a case fatality rate of approximately 2% for all reported cases.
Data from the African Union's specialized health agency highlights that last week alone saw 2,680 new cases emerge, comprising 492 confirmed instances and 22 additional deaths.
Ngongo pointed out that Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda have contributed significantly to the recent surge in confirmed cases.
Angola has recently joined the list of affected nations, confirming its first monkeypox case on November 16, marking the total number of impacted countries at 20.
The Africa CDC reports that confirmed monkeypox cases in Africa have risen by over 600% this year compared to the previous year’s total.
Ngongo stated, "The outbreak remains primarily concentrated in the Central Africa region, responsible for 93.2% of all confirmed cases and 99.5% of reported deaths," as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
In mid-August, the Africa CDC classified the ongoing monkeypox outbreak in Africa as a public health emergency of continental security. Shortly after, the World Health Organization also deemed monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern, activating its highest level of global alert for monkeypox for the second time in two years.
The United States and Canada confirmed their first new monkeypox cases on November 16 and November 22, respectively, with these cases linked to travel to Africa.
Monkeypox was initially identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral infection typically transmitted through bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and other contaminated materials. The disease generally leads to fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
