Cameroon Reports Mpox Cases: 2 Dead, 6 Confirmed, and 40 Suspected
Since April 2024, Cameroon has experienced a troubling rise in mpox cases, with the health ministry reporting two deaths and six confirmed cases among a total of 46 suspected infections. Health Minister Malachie Manaouda addressed the situation, noting that although the disease has resurfaced, it is not associated with the new Clade 1b strain, which has been causing concern in neighboring regions.
The World Health Organization recently declared an international emergency due to the Clade 1b outbreak in the DR Congo, which has spread to nearby countries. In response, Cameroonian authorities have ramped up efforts to monitor and control the situation, including enhanced surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and public awareness initiatives.
As of the end of last month, mpox has been reported in 14 African nations. The disease, which is transmitted from infected animals to humans and can also spread through close contact between people, causes symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and severe skin lesions. In some cases, it can be fatal.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has logged 796 cases in Burundi, 162 in Congo-Brazzaville, and 45 in the Central African Republic. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with nearly 22,000 cases and 716 deaths recorded since January.
To combat the spread, approximately 3.6 million vaccines have been secured for African countries, with the first batches now being distributed.
