The African continent is facing an unprecedented surge of mpox cases — with a worrying spread to countries which previously haven’t reported instances. With this in mind Dr. Jean Kaseya Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the disease a public health emergency of continental security on Tuesday.
The declaration “is not merely a formality” but a call to action to enhance the global response, mitigate the impact of the health threat, and protect public health while minimizing disruptions to travel and trade, Kaseya said.
“It’s a recognition that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our effort to contend and eliminate this threat,” he said.
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About the authors
Sara Jervingsarajerving
Sara Jerving is a Senior Reporter at Devex, where she covers global health. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, VICE News, and Bloomberg News among others. Sara holds a master's degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism where she was a Lorana Sullivan fellow. She was a finalist for One World Media's Digital Media Award in 2021; a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists in 2018; and she was part of a VICE News Tonight on HBO team that received an Emmy nomination in 2018. She received the Philip Greer Memorial Award from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 2014.
Rumbi Chakamba
Rumbi Chakamba is a Senior Editor at Devex based in Botswana, who has worked with regional and international publications including News Deeply, The Zambezian, Outriders Network, and Global Sisters Report. She holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of South Africa.
