The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) mentioned on Friday it’s ramping up response efforts over the surge of mpox instances throughout Africa.
“The IFRC is at the forefront of the response to the mpox outbreak in Africa, with extensive experience managing previous disease outbreaks, such as Ebola and COVID-19,” it mentioned in an announcement.

This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared mpox a public well being emergency of worldwide and continental concern.
The IFRC mentioned it has an enormous community of greater than 4 million volunteers and 14,000 workers throughout the continent, and their community is offering important assist to governments, together with community-based surveillance, threat communication and neighborhood engagement, and psychological well being providers.
“The sharp enhance in mpox instances in Africa is deeply regarding and a severe public well being concern. This is not only a native difficulty; it is a continental risk that calls for fast and coordinated motion,” Mohammed Omer Mukhier, IFRC regional director mentioned in an announcement.
Mukhier mentioned since final yr, the IFRC has been working with their native groups within the Democratic Republic of Congo in supporting communities affected by mpox, however now extra must be carried out, in shut liaison with mobilized Ministries of Health, because the scenario evolves and expands quickly throughout the continent.
According to the most recent Africa CDC figures 17,541 mpox instances have been reported in 12 international locations on the continent in 2024 together with 517 deaths.
The epidemic has been reported in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Other international locations with reported incidents embrace, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Cameroon and Nigeria. The virus has additionally been detected in Ivory Coast and Liberia.
Africa CDC says this represents a 160% enhance by finish of July, in comparison with the identical interval the earlier yr.

The DR Congo has reported the best variety of instances, accounting for 96% and 97% of deaths.
The IFRC has known as for elevated international assist to comprise the epidemic by means of elevated entry to testing, remedy, and vaccines for at-risk populations throughout the continent, together with sustained community-based motion, which improves the effectiveness of epidemic response actions.
Bronwyn Nichol, IFRC’s senior officer for Public Health in Emergencies, mentioned the mpox epidemic is a stark reminder that viruses know no borders.
“Shortages in testing, treatment, and vaccines demand a coordinated global response, including increased access to vaccine stocks in Africa. A unified effort is essential to protect vulnerable populations and prevent needless suffering and death,” she mentioned.
Source: www.anews.com.tr