Rising Monkeypox Cases in Africa: WHO Reports New Infections
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a concerning update on the monkeypox outbreak, revealing a significant rise in cases across several African nations. In a recent report, the WHO highlighted that Guinea, a West African country, has reported its first case of monkeypox. This development marks a troubling expansion of the virus's reach.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for a staggering 85% of the approximately 6,600 confirmed cases this year. The situation is dire, with 32 reported deaths across Africa, including 25 fatalities in the DRC alone. The WHO emphasized the critical need for increased testing, as only 37% of suspected cases are being tested due to inadequate laboratory capacity. Alarmingly, only about 55% of these suspected cases are confirmed positive.
Burundi, a smaller neighboring country, is also witnessing a surge in cases, with 1,879 suspected infections reported since the outbreak began in July. Notably, testing efforts in Burundi surpass those in the DRC, with approximately 93% of suspected cases being tested, leading to a confirmation rate of about 40%. This highlights the urgent need for enhanced public health measures and resources to combat the spread of monkeypox, particularly among vulnerable populations, including children under five, who represent about one-third of the affected individuals.
