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.
The World Health Organization stated that approximately 30,000 suspected mpox cases have been documented in Africa this year, with a majority occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo where testing supplies have been depleted.
The U.N. health body reported that over 800 people passed away from suspected mpox across the continent during that period. Additionally, Burundi, a neighbouring country in central Africa to Congo, has also been impacted by an increasing outbreak.
The public health agency of the African Union has reported a total of 14,957 cases and 739 deaths in seven affected states in 2023, showing a 78.5% rise in new cases compared to 2022. According to the WHO report, Africa recorded 29,342 suspected cases and 812 deaths between January and Sept. 15 this year.
The WHO stated that in August alone, there were 2,082 confirmed cases reported globally, marking the highest number since November 2022.
The World Bank's pandemic fund announced on Saturday that it will provide $128.89 million to ten African countries to support efforts against the outbreak.
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11:14
WHO: Over 35,000 Suspected Mpox Cases Reported in Africa in 2024
World Health Organization has reported over 35,000 suspected cases of mpox across Africa in 2024, with nearly 1,000 deaths potentially linked to the disease
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.
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