Brazzaville (ANTARA) – Eight countries in Africa have reported confirmed cases of the disease as monkeypox.
WHO Africa Region Director Matshidiso Moeti said at an online press conference on Thursday (16/6) that with nearly 1,900 confirmed cases of monkeypox reported in 39 countries worldwide, eight African countries have reported cases of the disease.
Ghana and Morocco, which have not reported cases of monkeypox before, now have five and one confirmed case, Moeti said.
There were 36 confirmed cases in Nigeria, 10 cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, eight cases in the Central African Republic, three cases each in Benin and Cameroon, and two cases in the Republic of Congo, Moeti said.
Meanwhile, a number of other countries in Africa have also reported cases of suspected similar diseases.
Ethiopia, Guinea, Liberia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Uganda, countries that previously did not report incidents of the disease, have now also reported suspected cases, Moeti said.
As Africa faces “unusual situations,” the continent should be adequately prepared, and have equitable access to vaccines and treatment, Moeti said.
He warned of the potential for a repeat of the inequalities Africa has experienced in the COVID-19 response.
Touching on the monkeypox vaccination, Moeti said although WHO has not recommended mass vaccination at this stage, Africa should be ready if mass vaccination is needed.
WHO on Tuesday (14/6) said it would hold an Emergency Committee meeting next week to discuss whether the current spread of monkeypox in a number of non-endemic countries constitutes an international public health emergency.
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Translator: Xinhua
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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