Africa public health body declares MonkeyPox emergency

Aug 13 (Reuters) - Africa's top public health body declared what it termed a "public health emergency of continental security" on Tuesday over an outbreak of mpox that has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring countries.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) had warned last week of an alarming rate of spread of the viral infection, which is transmitted through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

Most cases are mild but it can kill.

"We declare today this public health emergency of continental security to mobilize our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act swiftly and decisively," Director General Jean Kaseya said in a briefing that was live-streamed on Zoom.

The outbreak in Congo began with the spread of an endemic strain, known as Clade I. But the new variant, known as Clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, particularly among children.

Kaseya said in the briefing that the continent needs more than 10 million doses of the vaccine, but only about 200,000 are available. He promised that Africa CDC would work to quickly increase the supply to the continent.

"We have a clear plan to secure more than 10 million doses in Africa, starting with 3 million doses in 2024," he added, without saying where the vaccines would be sourced.

The health body said that more than 15,000 mpox cases and 461 deaths were reported on the continent this year so far, representing a 160% increase from the same period last year. A total of 18 countries have reported cases.

reuters.com

Mpox: UK preparing after virus declared global emergency - as Sweden records first case

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Preparations include making sure rapid testing will be available. A global emergency has been declared, with one expert stating there are reports of cases in 16 countries in Africa.

Sweden has confirmed it has recorded its first case of a contagious new variant of mpox - a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a global health emergency.

The strain, known as clade 1b, emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 17,000 cases and 571 deaths in Africa this year, officials have said, which exceeds last year's total.

Scientists from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention report 96% of all cases and deaths have been in DR Congo.
There are currently no cases of the virus in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said, and its deputy director Dr Meera Chand claims the risk "is currently considered low".

"However, planning is under way to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK," she added.

"This includes ensuring that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission."

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is passed on through close physical contact and symptoms include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache and a rash.

Dr Jean Kaseya, the director general of Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention, said there are cases in 16 countries in Africa.

"For the first time, we have countries like Ivory Coast, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda reporting cases," he told Sky News.

"We took our responsibility to say we need to declare this public health emergency… to better protect and support our countries."

He added WHO declared an emergency as it considers the strain is "potentially the outbreak that can become a pandemic".

Sweden's Health minister Jakob Forssmed told a news conference on Thursday that a case had been detected in the country and it was the "more grave" clade 1 strain.

The person became infected during a stay in Africa, according to officials.


In 2023 and up to 31 July this year, 286 cases were reported in the UK.

Of these, 269 were in England - with 116 patients presumed to have caught the virus in the UK and 82 outside of the country.

Before the spring of 2022, UK cases were usually associated with travel to or from countries where mpox is endemic, particularly in western or central Africa.

But in May that year, there was a large outbreak in the UK, mostly in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men.

A vaccination programme was launched in the UK in the summer of 2022 and closed the following July.

Mpox: UK preparing after virus declared global emergency - as Sweden records first case | UK News | Sky News

you should curb your homosexual promiscuity harriet - or at least get vaccinated

and you cant call it monkey pox anymore.

the WHO have decreed it could be considered an offensive term.

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Originally Posted by taxexile

the WHO have decreed it could be considered an offensive term

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I can think of only one poster who might even possibly be offended. Bit of a blow to all those known by theit M initial, I guess we should be glad not transmissable by Betty's goats, Chitty's moose or Mendy's hounds?

Advice to freelance sensation seekers, the promiscuous, avoid happy hour glory hole and Trumpanzees.Luckily it's a Longway from my bed.

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Originally Posted by baldrick

you should curb your homosexual promiscuity harriet - or at least get vaccinated

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Oh dear, another projecting queer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by taxexile

and you cant call it monkey pox anymore.

the WHO have decreed it could be considered an offensive term.

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We're OK up to the 28th November apparently, then it becomes officially offensive.

So I'm OK calling Baldrick "Monkey Boy" until then.

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Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using a new preferred term “mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while “monkeypox” is phased out.

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Fair stroke of the member Harriet

Do you find the sperm sticks to the hairs on your back ?

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Originally Posted by baldrick

Fair stroke of the member Harriet

Do you find the sperm sticks to the hairs on your back ?

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Not exactly World News that you are an idiot, Baldrick

Take your shit somewhere else

Quote:

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Originally Posted by baldrick

Fair stroke of the member Harriet

Do you find the sperm sticks to the hairs on your back ?

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Are you cruising for some queer action monkey boy?

All my actions are queer , Harriet , just not in your expected premise.

My queerness has yet to extend to fcuking more that hairless monkeys

As for cruising , sailing is good fun .

I am just asking if the horticulturist finds that the dried sperm blunts the blades of the mower when defoliating your back

Quote:

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Originally Posted by baldrick

All my actions are queer , Harriet , just not in your expected premise.

My queerness has yet to extend to fcuking more that hairless monkeys

As for cruising , sailing is good fun .

I am just asking if the horticulturist finds that the dried sperm blunts the blades of the mower when defoliating your back

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What are you wittering on about, monkey boy?