After researchers found a new strain of Mpox virus spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to neighbouring countries, the WHO declared a global health emergency in mid-August.
Mpox: Nigeria Delays Vaccination Campaign As Africa Sees 500% Increase In Cases
Following a 500% increase in Mpox cases in Africa over the previous year, Nigeria has delayed its scheduled vaccination campaign.
“The situation is not yet under control, we are still on the upward trend generally,” stated Ngashi Ngongo of Africa CDC during a news briefing on Thursday, in accordance with new data released by the continent’s primary disease control centre (Africa CDC).The current #Mpox outbreak has now afflicted 19 countries, including Mauritius, while Nigeria has delayed its scheduled vaccination campaign. Access to kid-friendly vaccines is still a major obstacle, despite the fact that vaccination rates in the DRC and Rwanda have been at least 100%. According to the statement, “since January 2024, confirmed Mpox cases have increased by 500% compared to 2023.”
However, the group did not explain why Nigeria delayed the vaccination campaign that was already scheduled.Following the discovery of a new strain of the virus spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to neighbouring countries, the World Health Organisation declared Mpox a global health emergency in mid-August.
The figures are alarming: This year alone, 19 African nations have reported 1,048 fatalities and more than 48,000 suspected cases of Mpox. With roughly 86% of all cases and almost all deaths (99.5%) occurring there, Central Africa has been the most severely affected region.
“To bring the current outbreak under control, we must keep mobilising the political engagement and financial support that are essential,” Ngongo stated.“We do not want this Mpox, especially the clade 1b, to become another sexually transmitted pandemic, which would be much more severe than COVID-19.”The virus can be contracted by intimate contact, including intercourse.In a number of European nations, including Sweden, Germany, and Britain, scientists have discovered a new strain of the virus known as clade Ib.
