The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has recently declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking a significant milestone for the agency since its establishment in 2017. This declaration, made under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statutes, grants the organization the authority to lead and coordinate responses to major health emergencies. The Africa CDC is mandated to support Member States in health emergency responses, particularly those declared PHECS or Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as well as in health promotion and disease prevention through various initiatives.
The declaration of the Mpox outbreak as a PHECS will enable the mobilization of resources across affected countries, facilitating essential funding, strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), enhancing surveillance and laboratory testing efforts, and boosting human resource capacities to effectively respond to Mpox using a One Health approach. Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya emphasized the urgency of taking swift and decisive action in response to the crisis, highlighting the need for collaboration and resource mobilization to address the escalating situation.
At least 13 African countries, including nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported Mpox outbreaks, with confirmed cases and deaths primarily concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The number of suspected cases across the continent has surged past 17,000, indicating a significant increase from previous years. Dr. Kaseya underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the need for collective action and international support to combat the crisis effectively.
Despite Mpox being declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO from May 2022 to July 2023, Africa did not receive the necessary support during that period. Dr. Kaseya called for a change in approach from global partners, urging them to collaborate closely with Africa CDC to provide the required support to Member States. The emergency declaration followed extensive consultations and a unanimous decision by the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), chaired by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, who highlighted the severity of the situation and the need for immediate action.
To address the Mpox outbreak in Africa, Africa CDC has established a 25-member Incident Management Team and signed a partnership agreement with the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and Bavarian Nordic to provide over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine—the only FDA and EMA-approved Mpox vaccine. Africa CDC will oversee the equitable distribution of these vaccines, prioritizing local needs across affected Member States.
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, with common symptoms including a skin rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infectious person, contaminated materials, or infected animals. As the Mpox outbreak continues to pose a significant threat to public health in Africa, the Africa CDC’s declaration of a PHECS underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts, resources, and international support to effectively combat the crisis and protect the health and well-being of communities across the continent.
