Mpox Outbreak In Africa Causes Growing Alarm

The Washington Post (8/9, Nirappil) reported, “Global health authorities are sounding an alarm about surging mpox infections in Africa that have left hundreds dead, thousands sick and inflicted suffering in nations previously spared from the viral disease.” In Africa, cases “have surpassed 15,000 this year, exceeding the toll in all of 2023,” with infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo “reaching record highs and mostly infecting and killing children.” While most infections seem to be “spreading through contact with infected animals and within households,” a new mpox strain called clade 1b has “emerged in eastern parts of Congo, including in sex workers, and has been detected in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.” Officials expect the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to declare a health emergency this week.