19:00
First case of new mpox variant identified in Germany
Germany has detected its first case of the new mpox variant, clade 1b, in a 33-year-old man.
WHO: Over 35,000 Suspected Mpox Cases Reported in Africa in 2024
Reuters
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported over 35,000 suspected cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) across Africa in 2024, with nearly 1,000 deaths potentially linked to the disease. From January 1 to September 29, 2024, a total of 35,525 suspected cases and 996 deaths have been recorded.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been hit hardest, accounting for 30,766 suspected cases and 990 deaths. Burundi follows with 1,368 suspected cases, though no deaths have been reported in the country.
Though the global health emergency for mpox was lifted in May 2023 following a decline in cases, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus re-declared a state of emergency on August 14, 2024, due to the resurgence of the disease in Africa.
Mpox is a viral disease predominantly found in remote areas of central and western Africa, particularly near tropical forests. It was first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970 as a result of animal-to-human transmission.
As the outbreak continues to escalate, health officials are urging global support and attention to control the spread of mpox and provide adequate medical care to affected regions.
17:30
WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test
The WHO has approved Abbott Laboratories' mpox diagnostic test for emergency use, marking a key step in boosting testing in outbreak-hit countries. The real-time PCR test detects mpox virus DNA from skin swabs, with more tests under review to increase diagnostic availability worldwide.
16:50
Africa Faces Mpox Crisis: 30,000 Suspected Cases Reach Record Levels
The World Health Organization reports 30,000 suspected mpox cases in Africa this year, with over 800 deaths, mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Bank is allocating $128.89 million to support ten African countries in battling the outbreak.
