Monkeypox Cases Surge in Africa as Vaccine Demand Grows
The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported a surge in monkeypox cases, with over 1,000 new infections in just one week. This alarming spike has intensified calls from African health officials for increased access to vaccines, crucial for combating the growing threat of the virus across the continent.
The true scale of the outbreak is likely far greater than reported. In Congo, for example, only one in five suspected cases are tested for monkeypox due to limited resources. Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, highlights the challenge, stating that many affected African nations lack adequate testing and surveillance capabilities.
This sentiment is echoed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, which has issued an urgent appeal to donor nations for $18.5 million in aid. These funds will be vital in providing healthcare services to those affected by the monkeypox outbreak in East and Southern Africa.
“The monkeypox outbreak in East and Southern Africa and the Horn of Africa is a serious concern, particularly for vulnerable populations such as migrants, mobile populations, and displaced persons, who are often overlooked in these crises,” said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. “We must act swiftly to protect those most at risk and mitigate the impact of this outbreak in the region.”
Adding to the global concern, Thailand has identified its first suspected case of the new monkeypox variant. While initial test results for the 66-year-old patient remain inconclusive for the Clade IIb variant, tests for the Clade II variant came back negative, according to Thai health authorities.
In a promising development, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, announced that the institute, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, is actively developing a monkeypox vaccine. This news offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against the disease, particularly as global demand for vaccines continues to rise.
