Latest news with #AfricaCentresforDiseaseControlandPrevention
Hans India
4 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Mpox deaths surpass 1,900 in Africa since 2024: Africa CDC
Addis Ababa: The death toll from Africa's ongoing mpox outbreak has surpassed 1,900 since the start of 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. During an online media briefing, Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff and head of the Africa CDC's Executive Office, said that 27 mpox-affected African countries have reported 174,597 cases and 1,922 related deaths since the start of last year. "When we compare the data of last year and this year, we see that in 2025, we have already reported 94,300 cases that represent 117 per cent of the cases reported last year. On the confirmed cases, we have 29,084 (this year) compared to 19,713 (last year)," Ngongo said. He noted, however, that the continent has seen a steady decline in both confirmed and suspected cases in recent weeks, especially compared to the peak in May. Increased testing coverage was also highlighted as a positive sign in the fight against the disease, Xinhua news agency reported. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral disease typically transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The Africa CDC declared the outbreak a public health emergency of continental security in August 2024. The World Health Organization later designated it a public health emergency of international concern. Mpox spreads from person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox, including members of a household. Close contact includes skin-to-skin and mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact, and it can also include being face-to-face with someone who has mpox (such as talking or breathing close to one another, which can generate infectious respiratory particles). Mpox causes signs and symptoms which usually begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure. Symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system. Mpox causes signs and symptoms which usually begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure. Symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.
TimesLIVE
09-05-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Sierra Leone's mpox cases fuel African outbreak, says health body
Sierra Leone accounted for half of Africa's confirmed mpox cases this week, the continent's main health body said on Thursday, adding that the West African country was fuelling the outbreak. Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact and typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. It is usually mild, but can be lethal. It remains a public health emergency due to the continuing rise in the number of cases and the geographic spread of the outbreak, according to the WHO, which first declared the emergency in August last year. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Sierra Leone reported 384 confirmed cases in a week, representing 50.7% of all the continent's cases. Sierra Leone, which declared mpox a public health emergency in January, has seen a 63% jump in confirmed cases in just one week, Africa CDC official Ngashi Ngongo said in an online briefing.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sierra Leone's mpox cases fuel African outbreak, health body says
Dakar: Sierra Leone accounted for half of Africa's confirmed mpox cases this week, the continent's main health body said on Thursday, adding that the West African country was fuelling the outbreak. Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact and typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. It is usually mild, but can be lethal. It remains a public health emergency due to the continuing rise in the number of cases and the geographic spread of the outbreak, according to the WHO, which first declared the emergency in August last year. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( Africa CDC ) said Sierra Leone reported 384 confirmed cases in a week, representing 50.7 per cent of all the continent's cases. Sierra Leone, which declared mpox a public health emergency in January, has seen a 63% jump in confirmed cases in just one week, Africa CDC official Ngashi Ngongo said in an online briefing. Ngongo said that funding was the main issue, but added that contact tracing and laboratory capacity also needed to be improved. "They have a bed capacity in mpox treatment centres of only 60 beds, but we are talking about 800 active cases," Ngongo said, adding that most infected people had to stay at home. Last August, officials said the budget to fight mpox was severely underfunded, and in February they warned funding cuts proposed by the United States earlier this year would threaten efforts to contain disease outbreaks. Mpox cases in high-burden countries Uganda and Burundi are on a steady decline, while cases in Democratic Republic of Congo are showing signs of flattening, said Ngongo.
Zawya
23-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Angola Commits USD 5 Million to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Championing Africa-Led Health Financing Strategy
In a strong act of continental solidarity, His Excellency João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, announced a landmark voluntary contribution of USD 5 million to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), reaffirming Angola's leadership and enduring commitment to strengthening regional health security and sustainable health financing. The announcement came after a high-level meeting held earlier that week, on April 21, in Luanda between President Lourenço and Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed regional health priorities and the urgent need to mitigate the impact of declining development assistance. Reacting to the pledge, Dr. Kaseya commended President Lourenço's bold and visionary leadership: 'President Lourenço's leadership reflects Africa's collective determination to finance our health future,' said Dr. Kaseya. 'This commitment is not only historic—it sends a powerful signal that Africa is ready to lead from the front, with bold investments and African-led solutions.' President Lourenço also committed to convening a Committee of African Heads of State to champion the implementation of Africa CDC's continental strategy, 'Rethinking African Health Financing in a New Era' — a bold response to the sharp 70% decline in external development assistance for health across the continent. In support of local manufacturing, Dr. Kaseya announced that Africa CDC will support Angola's plan for production of mosquito bed nets —an initiative aimed at strengthening vector control and expanding regional production capacity. President Lourenço welcomed Africa CDC's commitment to advancing local manufacturing of health commodities and confirmed that a major national initiative aligned with this vision will soon be launched. The two leaders also discussed Angola's response to the ongoing cholera outbreak, with Dr. Kaseya commending the country's efforts and reaffirming Africa CDC's full financial and technical support. He further acknowledged Angola's essential role in advancing continental solidarity and public health resilience. This announcement marks a major milestone in Africa CDC's continued efforts to rally political leadership, domestic financing, and unified continental action around the New Public Health Order and the Lusaka Agenda. The agency continues to work closely with all AU Member States to build inclusive, self-reliant, and resilient health systems for Africa's 1.4 billion people. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Zawya
11-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Unveils Strategic Plan to Transform Health Financing and Advance Self-Reliance
With external health aid to Africa expected to plunge by 70% between 2021 and 2025, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched a continent-wide strategy to radically transform how health systems are financed, putting African resources at the centre of African health. The sharp decline in official development assistance, paired with a 41% surge in disease outbreaks from 2022 to 2024, is overwhelming already stretched health systems. Without urgent reform, the continent risks losing decades of hard-won progress in disease control, maternal care, and epidemic preparedness. Africa CDC's response is deliberate and strategic. In collaboration with African Union Member States, the agency will guide efforts to revise national health financing plans, strengthen domestic investment in health, and pilot innovative, context-specific revenue mechanisms designed to mobilise sustainable and predictable funding. 'Africa cannot continue outsourcing its health security,' said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. 'This strategy is not about aid—it's about ownership. We are building a future where Africa invests in its people, drives its own health agenda, and responds to crises with speed, strength, and self-reliance.' The strategy urges governments to fulfil the Abuja Declaration by allocating at least 15% of national budgets to health. It also introduces innovative financing ideas such as solidarity levies on airline tickets, alcohol, and mobile services, while exploring how Africa's US$95 billion in annual diaspora remittances can support national health priorities. Blended finance tools will be used to unlock public and private capital for critical investments in infrastructure, digital health, and local production of vaccines and medical supplies. Implementation will be phased. The first phase (2025–2026) will focus on updating national health financing plans in 30 countries, piloting innovative revenue mechanisms, and launching transparency dashboards. The second phase (2026–2030) will scale successful approaches, with the goal of enabling at least 20 countries to finance 50 percent or more of their health budgets through sustainable domestic sources. To track results and ensure accountability, Africa CDC will deploy a new African Health Financing Scorecard to monitor progress, improve donor alignment, and boost efficiency in domestic spending. The strategy marks a critical turning point for Africa's health independence. With political momentum from the African Union and proven regional coordination mechanisms, Africa CDC is positioning itself and the continent to lead a new era of sustainable, sovereign health financing. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
