By Catherine K Conteh 

MONROVIA, Aug. 17 (LINA) – In a significant step aimed at addressing the escalating spread of Monkeypox (Mpox) across the continent, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has set up a 25-member Incident Management Team at the epicenter of the ongoing Mpox epidemic. 

This team has been tasked with providing support to both affected and at-risk countries, a crucial part of Africa CDC’s broader strategy to combat the outbreak.

According to a release issued on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the move comes after the Africa CDC officially declared the Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), the first such declaration in the agency’s history.

The release stated that the declaration follows extensive consultations, including a unanimous decision by the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), chaired by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, adding that it allows for the mobilization of critical resources across affected countries, including unlocking essential funding, enhancing surveillance and laboratory testing efforts, and strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE).

The release indicated that the declaration, made under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statutes, empowers the organization to lead and coordinate the response to significant health emergencies.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, according to the release, emphasized the critical role of the Incident Management Team in managing the crisis. "Our priority is to ensure that we have a coordinated and effective response to the Mpox outbreak," Dr. Kaseya stated. "This team will be at the forefront of our efforts, working closely with affected countries to bolster their capacities in surveillance, laboratory testing, and risk communication."

He called on global partners to support Africa in this critical hour, stressing the need for a global response to the Mpox crisis. “The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this crisis,” he urged, calling for collaboration and solidarity to combat the outbreak effectively.

The release added that in addition to forming the Incident Management Team, Africa CDC has signed a partnership agreement with the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and Bavarian Nordic, securing over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, indicating that this vaccine, the only one approved by both the FDA and EMA for Mpox, will be distributed equitably across the affected Member States under the supervision of Africa CDC.

At the same time, the release noted that Professor Salim Abdool Karim, chair of the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), stressed the importance of strategic vaccine distribution, given the limited supply and pointed out that the number of Mpox cases has risen sharply compared to previous years, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and diagnostic capabilities.

He highlighted the limited surveillance and diagnostic capabilities in many African countries, warning that the outbreak could be more severe than currently understood and expressed concern about the rising fatalities and the potential link between HIV and Mpox.

At least 13 African countries, including previously unaffected nations such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported outbreaks of Mpox. In 2024 alone, these countries have confirmed 2,863 cases and 517 deaths, with the majority occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The surge in suspected cases, which now exceeds 17,000, represents a significant increase from the 7,146 cases recorded in 2022 and the 14,957 cases in 2023.

The establishment of the Incident Management Team and the procurement of vaccines are part of a broader effort by Africa CDC to address the outbreak through a One Health approach. This strategy aims to integrate human, animal, and environmental health, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated response to the epidemic.