Mpox outbreak africa
Mpox outbreak africa: Mpox outbreak africa is now a global concern. The Mpox virus has already been spread all over Africa. It’s also moving to Asia, Europe, and America.
The World Health Organization has already declared the outbreak of the mpox virus an international health emergency. Now, a new strain of the virus is rapidly spreading across parts of Africa, leading to a surge in infections.
The epicenter of the current outbreak is the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 16,500 cases have been recorded this year, with 570 deaths. In neighboring Burundi, one of the continent’s poorest nations, there has been a rise in cases, with 171 reported this week.
Our correspondent Mercy Jumer has traveled to Bujumbura in the west of the country, where public awareness of the disease is limited. The lack of medical facilities and vaccines means that health authorities are struggling.
At one of the largest medical centers in Burundi’s biggest city, staff are battling to both treat incoming patients and monitor the spread of the mpox virus Africa.
“I had swollen lymph nodes. It was so painful I couldn’t sleep. Then the pain subsided, but it moved to my legs. I am better now,” said one patient.
Currently, 55 cases are being treated at this facility. Four suspected cases have just walked in, and their status will be confirmed after lab results.
In the men’s unit, orange or red tips are used to isolate those being treated from the rest of the community. Burundi is seeing a surge in cases, and medical officials are concerned about limited resources.
There is only one testing laboratory in the whole country, insufficient testing kits, and no vaccines. Access to basic resources like water is also limited, which poses a real challenge.
The fact that diagnosis is only done in one place delays detecting new cases. Health centers call the laboratory with suspected cases, but it takes time for lab teams to deploy, take samples, and release results.
The epicenter of Africa’s current healthcare crisis is neighboring DRC, less than 20 miles from here. It is crucial for health officials in Burundi that people understand the dangers of this disease, but public awareness is limited. Many do not know what mpox is, and those who do are unaware that it is spreading in their country.
This lack of awareness means that while efforts are being made to help affected individuals survive and recover, life continues as usual elsewhere. Containment is difficult, making the need for an adequate vaccine for Mpox virus even more urgent.