African Union: 'Mpox outbreak is a global issue'

Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the mpox outbreak is not just an African health issue, but a global one.

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African Union: 'Mpox outbreak is a global issue'

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Jean Kaseya provided updates on the mpox outbreak during a press conference.

Stating that it would not be appropriate to view the mpox outbreak solely as an African health issue, Kaseya shared that as of August 26, a total of 22,863 cases and 622 deaths had been recorded across 13 African Union (AU) member states.

Kaseya said, "Mpox is primarily in Africa, but it is also a significant global health issue."

Expressing that the AU continues its efforts to combat the outbreak, Kaseya added that Central Africa remains the region most affected by the epidemic.

WHAT IS THE MPOX VIRUS?

The mpox virus is transmitted from rodents such as mice and squirrels or from infected individuals. Touching the skin rashes caused by the virus, using items contaminated by these rashes such as clothing, bed sheets, and towels, and coming into contact with bodily fluids are among the most significant causes of transmission.

Initial symptoms can appear 5 to 21 days after contracting the virus. The virus typically causes high fever, headache, back and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, chills, shivering, and blister-like rashes on the skin.

There is no specific treatment method for the disease, which is managed with antiviral drugs. The majority of cases experience a mild form of the disease and recover within a few weeks.