The African continent is facing an unprecedented surge of mpox cases — with a worrying spread to countries which previously haven’t reported instances. With this in mind Dr. Jean Kaseya Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the disease a public health emergency of continental security on Tuesday.
The declaration “is not merely a formality” but a call to action to enhance the global response, mitigate the impact of the health threat, and protect public health while minimizing disruptions to travel and trade, Kaseya said.
“It’s a recognition that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our effort to contend and eliminate this threat,” he said.