WHO says about 30,000 people in Africa are suspected of being infected with smallpox this year

Today (September 24, 2024), the World Health Organization (WHO) said that cases of suspected smallpox infection or MPOX (MPOX) have been reported in Africa, totaling 29,342 people since January Up to September 15 this year, they were mostly found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is a country where testing equipment is exhausted.

A WHO report says that 812 people died of smallpox across the continent during the same period, with neighboring Burundi also being hit by the growing epidemic.

Reuters news agency reported Smallpox is spread through close contact. It usually causes flu-like symptoms and festering sores. But in some cases it can be fatal.

However, the WHO report does not publish data from previous years. The African Union health agency reported 14,957 cases and 739 deaths in seven African countries in 2023, an increase of 78.5% year-on-year.

WHO revealed in August In the last month alone, 2,082 more confirmed cases have been reported worldwide, the highest number since November. 65

The World Bank’s Epidemic Response Fund said on Saturday it will provide $128.89 million to 10 African countries to help fight the outbreak.