The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that 30,000 suspected M-pox virus cases have been seen in Africa this year, the majority of which have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where tests have run out. According to the WHO report, more than 800 people have lost their lives as a result of suspected M-pox virus across the continent. WHO reported that 29,342 suspected M-pox virus cases and 812 deaths were seen in Africa from January to September 15 this year, and that while only 2,082 M-pox virus cases were confirmed worldwide in August, this number was the highest level since November 2022.
On the other hand, the report, which reported that Burundi was also affected by the epidemic, did not include figures comparing with previous years.
In its statement, the African Union Public Health Agency stated that 14,957 cases and 739 deaths were recorded in 7 countries affected by the epidemic in 2023, and that these data represented a 78.5 percent increase in new cases compared to 2022.
The World Bank announced on Saturday that it provided $128,089 in funding to 10 African countries to combat the epidemic. (İHA)