Fri Sep 13 16:36:00 UTC 2024: ## Mpox Cases Surge in Africa, Africa CDC Calls for Enhanced Surveillance

**ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua)** – The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued a call for increased mpox detection and surveillance efforts as the number of cases in Africa has climbed to 26,543 since the start of 2024, including 5,732 confirmed cases and 724 deaths.

The continent saw a significant spike in cases, reporting 3,160 new cases in the past week alone, including 434 confirmed cases and 107 deaths. This surge is attributed to improved detection capacity in African Union (AU) member states, according to Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya.

While the number of cases has risen, there has been a positive trend in the fatality rate, which Kaseya attributes to increased surveillance, community awareness, and improved disease management.

Currently, 15 African countries across all five regions have reported cases, with a case fatality rate of 2.73 percent. Children under 15 years old account for 41 percent of confirmed cases, with males representing 63 percent of all confirmed cases.

Central Africa remains the most affected region with 23,761 cases, including 5,588 confirmed cases and 720 deaths. Eastern Africa has reported 1,644 cases, with 19 confirmed cases.

Kaseya stressed the need for further strengthening cross-border surveillance measures, particularly in countries neighboring the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has become the epicenter of the outbreak.

In mid-August, the Africa CDC declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). This was followed by the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring mpox a public health emergency of international concern.

The Africa CDC and WHO have jointly launched a six-month response plan, running from September 2024 to February 2025, with an estimated budget of nearly 600 million U.S. dollars. The plan aims to allocate 55 percent of the funds towards mpox response efforts in affected countries and 45 percent towards operational and technical support through partner organizations.

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