More than 1,400 Mpox-related deaths have been reported in 15 African countries since the beginning of 2022, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has disclosed, according to a report in Xinhua. In its latest continental mpox (monkeypox) situation report, Africa CDC said that a total of 37,583 mpox cases and 1,451 deaths had been reported from 15 African Union (AU) members from the beginning of 2022 to July 28, 2024, with a fatality rate of 3.9 per cent.

According to the specialized healthcare agency of the AU, from the beginning of this year to July 28, a total of 14,250 mpox cases and 456 deaths have been reported from 10 African countries, with a fatality rate of 3.2 per cent. Africa CDC data shows that the number of new mpox cases and deaths that have been reported so far this year shows a 160 per cent and 19 per cent increase, respectively when compared to the same period in 2023.

The 10 African countries that have reported mpox cases this year include Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa, it was noted. The DRC accounted for about 96.3 per cent of all cases and 97 per cent of all deaths reported this year.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox is a viral disease that’s caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a zoonotic disease and hence it can spread from animal to humans. It was first discovered in monkeys and hence, the name monkeypox.

After you’re infected with the virus, it might take a few days to a few weeks for the signs to appear. Here, take a look at some of the signs and symptoms of monkeypox.

The rash usually starts to show as flat and red bumps but they can be painful. These eventually turn into blisters with pus. You might also notice sores on your mouth, face, hands, feet, penis, vagina or anus.

Mpox usually causes painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. While most people recover from the condition, however, some people might get very sick. The virus spreads from person to person through touch, kissing or sex. However, from animals, it usually spreads when hunting, skinning, or cooking them. It can also spread from contaminated sheets, clothes or needles and from infected pregnant mothers to their unborn babies.

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of monkeypox. If you think you have an increased risk of developing mpox, you should consider getting vaccinated as this helps to stop the spread. Other ways to prevent the spread of the diseases include decreasing human contact with infected animals and reducing person-to-person spread.

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