00:00These infectious, pus-filled lesions are due to the Mpox virus, and according to Africa's
00:05top public health body, the speed at which a new, more transmissible strain is spreading
00:09is causing grave concerns, causing it to trigger its first ever public health emergency of
00:14continental security.
00:16This is not just an African issue. Mpox is a global trait and it is in this moment of
00:24vulnerability that we must find our greatest strength and demonstrate that we are all learning
00:33from the Covid lesson and we are playing solidarity.
00:38Formerly known as Monkeypox, Mpox is transmitted through close contact, causing rashes, bodily
00:43lesions and flu-like symptoms.
00:46It was first detected in humans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970s, but the latest
00:51outbreak has spread to neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.
00:56In 2022, a milder strain of Mpox spread to over 100 countries, causing the World Health
01:03Organization to set off its highest alert.
01:06But according to experts, the current situation is more severe.
01:09In fact, if you look at the period, the most recent period, the number of cases in Africa
01:16is more than triple what it was when the feat was declared in 2022.
01:24According to the latest CDC data from earlier this month, there had been over 38,000 cases
01:29of Mpox and over 1,400 deaths in Africa since January 2022.
01:35The WHO's emergency committee will now decide whether to trigger its most serious alarm,
01:40a public health emergency of international concern.
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