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HEALTH
Mpox vaccinations finally get underway on the continent

Much like the wait for the weekend, Africa’s active response to the mpox epidemic had us counting days and nights…until now.

Congolese authorities on Saturday began vaccinations against mpox, nearly two months after the disease outbreak was declared a global emergency by the WHO. The 265,000 doses donated to Congo by the European Union and the United States were rolled out in the North Kivu province amid fears that the capital city, Kinshasa may be succumbing to the virus.

Why the long wait? Despite receiving the doses over a month ago, the DR Congo admitted it would have to delay administering the vaccine due to ‘logistical challenges’. Kris Cacita, the head of Congo’s epidemic response at the time said that there was a prevailing fear that Congo’s rural population may not be as receptive to the technology.

In the meantime, the situation on the ground has since worsened with the DRC now totaling more than;

• 30,000 suspected cases, 5600 confirmed cases, and 1000 deaths.

• The DR Congo accounts for more than 80% of cases and 99% of deaths recorded globally during the outbreak.

• The next most affected country is Burundi, with a tally of 853 cases for 0 deaths recorded.

Scientists attribute the stark difference in outcomes to the prevalence of the Clade 1a strain of the virus, predominant in the DRC but absent in other affected countries.

Interestingly, although most mpox infections and deaths recorded in Congo are in children under age 15, the doses being administered are only meant for adults and will be given to at-risk populations and frontline workers, Health Minister Roger Kamba said this week.- CU.

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NEWS
Round the continent

• The Tunisian presidential election which kicked off on Saturday, has officially ended with early reports posting a win for incumbent, Kais Saied.

• The ‘anti-Galamsey’ demonstrations in Ghana came to a close on Saturday, bringing to an end a 3-day call to end illegal mining in the country.

• Africa’s largest oil producer, Libya, is resuming oil production after a 2-month hiatus amidst a dispute over its central bank’s ownership.

• Two political parties have revived talks of impeaching South African Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa, after $500,000 in cash was found hidden in a sofa at his ranch.

• Rwanda’s Ministry of Health has issued guidelines amidst eight fatalities from Marburg fever. The country declared an outbreak of the disease on Sept. 27th.