In a grim report released by the African Union's disease control center, it has been confirmed that more than 800 individuals have succumbed to the mpox epidemic across Africa. This alarming situation underscores that the outbreak, which has affected over 34,297 people since the beginning of the year, is currently "not under control."

Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), conveyed the shocking reality in a press briefing. He highlighted that this year's death toll has reached 866, with mpox officially detected in 16 countries on the continent. Among those, Ghana has reported 38 cases, illustrating the breadth of the epidemic's reach.

Kaseya issued a stark warning regarding the situation: “The epidemic is not under control.” He emphasized that the testing rates remain critically low, which may hinder efforts to combat the outbreak effectively. In just the past week alone, a surge of approximately 2,500 new cases has been identified, highlighting the urgent need for increased testing and awareness.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, identified as the epicenter of the outbreak, is expected to initiate vaccination efforts soon, starting in just two days. Although vaccinations were initially planned to begin earlier, the imminent rollout is a crucial step toward managing the crisis.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus that can be transmitted from infected animals to humans and can also spread through close physical contact between humans. Symptoms often include fever, muscle pain, and distinctive boil-like skin lesions, which can be life-threatening, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Health officials are urging communities to remain vigilant in the fight against this growing health threat. With the number of cases continuing to climb, the call for urgent public health interventions and broader vaccination initiatives has never been more critical. As Africa grapples with this epidemic, the international community must also rally together to provide support and resources to mitigate the impact of mpox across the continent.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this unfolding health crisis and its implications for millions in Africa and beyond!