Mpox Surveillance Must Be Improved to Address Africa Surge, Expert Warns

Sunday, 25 August 2024, 11:32

Mpox surveillance must be improved to effectively tackle the surge in cases across Africa, warns Nigerian expert Dimie Ogoina. With the outbreak officially infecting over 17,000 people, a lack of rapid diagnostic tests and data collection means the actual numbers are likely much higher. Ogoina insists it is crucial to rethink surveillance systems to combat the unprecedented spread of this disease.
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Mpox Surveillance Must Be Improved to Address Africa Surge, Expert Warns

Urgent Call for Enhanced Mpox Surveillance

A prominent Nigerian professor has issued a stark warning regarding the need for improved mpox surveillance as cases surge across Africa. Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO's emergency committee on mpox, highlighted that the official count of over 17,000 infections likely underrepresents the true scale due to inadequate diagnostic tests and data collection initiatives.

Consequences of Inadequate Surveillance

  • Underreporting of cases: Many infections may go unrecognized because of ineffective surveillance.
  • Increased spread risk: The current outbreak’s most infectious clade 1 types pose growing alarm.
  • Funding needs: The WHO requires $135 million in resources over the next six months for effective response plans.

Seeking a Proactive Approach

Ogoina emphasized that relying on evidence from the global north is insufficient; understanding local health gaps is essential. The situation is particularly dire in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the outbreak's epicenter, where the disease is wreaking havoc on communities.

As more cases arise in neighboring countries and beyond, Ogoina argues for immediate systematic reform in public health measures to address the mpox epidemic.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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