Africa CDC declares mpox a public health emergency

The African Union’s health watchdog has declared a public health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak on the continent.

“I declare with a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as public health emergency of continental security,” Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

According to CDC data as of August 4, there had been 38,465 cases of mpox since January 2022.