The toll from the current smallpox epidemic in Africa has reached 1,100 deaths, for a total of 42,438 cases, including 8,113 confirmed, since the beginning of 2024, according to the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) — The toll of the current smallpox epidemic in Africa has reached 1,100 deaths, for a total of 42,438 cases, including 8,113 confirmed, since the beginning of 2024, according to the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention. disease control and prevention (Africa CDC).
During an online press conference Thursday evening, Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said the African continent recorded 3,051 new cases and 50 new deaths in the past week alone.
“For the first time, we had cases reported in Zambia on October 8, and new cases in Zimbabwe reported on October 12. We are also recording additional cases in Uganda and Ghana. Unfortunately, we have recorded a first death in Kenya,” Mr. Kaseya said.
According to the Africa CDC, 18 African countries have been impacted by the mpox epidemic since the start of the year, and the disease has spread to each of the continent’s five regions.
Data from the African Union’s specialized health agency reveals that Central Africa is the hardest-hit region, accounting for 86.4% of total reported cases and more than 99% of total deaths from the disease. mpox smallpox.
The number of cases of mpox recorded this year represents a staggering increase of 380% compared to the total cases recorded in 2023, according to the agency.
The Africa CDC also expressed concerns over new outbreaks in two prisons in Uganda, with the affected patients having no travel history outside the country.■
