The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has recently declared a public health emergency due to the spread of a deadly and highly infectious strain of monkeypox virus across the continent. This move has been taken to prevent the virus from evolving into an epidemic that could potentially spread beyond Africa.
Jean Kaseya, the head of Africa CDC, made the announcement during an online media briefing, expressing his commitment to the African citizens and declaring monkeypox as a public health emergency of continental security. The data provided by CDC shows that there have been 38,465 cases of monkeypox and 1,456 deaths in Africa since January 2022, as of August 4. The virus has crossed borders and is affecting thousands of people across the continent, causing immense pain and suffering.
The outbreak has been particularly severe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the Clade Ib subclade being responsible for the current spread of the virus. Previously confined to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the cases have now been rapidly spreading to other African countries, including Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda. This has raised concerns among health authorities about the potential for a widespread epidemic.
Monkeypox, caused by the Monkeypox virus, is a zoonotic disease that belongs to the smallpox virus family. It can spread through direct contact with an infected person or animal, entering the body through broken skin, respiratory tract, eyes, nose, or mouth. The new strain of monkeypox, known as Clade 1b, is more adept at spreading between people and has new mutations that are not detected by existing tests.
There are two known clades of the monkeypox virus: Clade I and Clade II, with Clade II further divided into subclades IIa and IIb. The symptoms and severity of the Clade Ib virus are still unclear, and it is uncertain how dangerous and transmissible it may be. The death rate for Clade I monkeypox is known to be higher than that of Clade II, but the reasons for this difference remain unclear.
The symptoms of monkeypox include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, and lymph node enlargement, followed by a rash that can resemble chickenpox or syphilis. The rash can spread from the face to other parts of the body, forming scabs that eventually fall off. The incubation period for monkeypox is typically 6-13 days but can range from 5-21 days. People who have recently traveled should isolate themselves to prevent the spread of infection, with a recommended isolation period of approximately 3 weeks.
To prevent the spread of monkeypox, it is important to avoid skin contact with infected individuals, wash hands regularly with soap and water or sanitizer, cough and sneeze into the elbow, and avoid unprotected sex with suspected individuals. Following these precautions can help reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.
In conclusion, the declaration of monkeypox as a public health emergency by Africa CDC highlights the seriousness of the current outbreak and the need for urgent measures to contain the spread of the virus. By raising awareness about the symptoms, precautions, and risks associated with monkeypox, it is possible to mitigate the impact of the outbreak and protect the health and well-being of the African population.
