By Nhau Mangirazi, Karoi
Health advocates in Zimbabwe have welcomed the declaration by the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Mpox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
Africa CDC Director General Doctor Jean Kaseya made the declaration during a special virtual media briefing in Ethiopia, this Tuesday.
“We declare this PHECS to mobilize our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act swiftly and decisively. This empowers us to forge new partnerships, strengthen our health systems, educate our communities and deliver life-saving interventions where they are needed most. There is no need for travel restrictions at this time,” he said.
Thirteen African countries, including previously unaffected nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported Mpox outbreaks.
‘‘These countries have confirmed 2,863 cases and 517 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Suspected cases across the continent have surged past 17,000, a significant increase from 7,146 cases in 2022 and 14,957 cases in 2023.
‘‘This is just the tip of the iceberg when we consider the many weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory testing and contact tracing,’’ said Kaseya.
He called on international partners to seize this moment to act differently and collaborate closely with Africa CDC to provide the necessary support to our member states.
Kaseya underscored the gravity of the situation stating
“This is not just another challenge; it’s a crisis that demands our collective action… to lead and coordinate the response when there is a declaration of a public health emergency of international concern,” added Kaseya.
Local health advocates welcomed the move as public health security measure.
Community Working Group (CWGH) Executive Director Itai Rusike said the declaration by Africa CDC is a most welcome development and a great opportunity for resource mobilization and public awareness.
‘‘It is good to see this kind of proactive leadership coming from the Africa CDC rather than to wait for international organizations that are not even based in Africa leading the continent from the front on health issues that are mainly affecting the African population and the region,’’ noted Rusike.
He added that African governments including Zimbabwe must show political will and stewardship in mobilizing domestic resources to fund the Mpox outbreak response.
‘‘Our governments must avoid the overreliance on external partners as it is risky and unsustainable as donors can withdraw financial support anytime should their interests shift for some reasons or other,’’ said Rusike.
Former health and child care portfolio committee chairperson Fortune Daniel Mguni called on the minister of health to kick off awareness campaigns in communities.
‘‘There is an urgent need for public awareness on Mpox as majority of Zimbabweans are not familiar with it. There must be civic education,’’ said Muguni.
‘‘There must be measures in place in the health care services. The lessons we have learnt from cholera and Covid 19 outbreaks is that we must prepare adequately in advance to mitigate the adverse effects of an outbreak,’’ Mguni added.
He called for an urgent need for action.
‘‘We call upon the government to move from the position it is today where it seems to watching and waiting. Zimbabwe cannot afford to be a sitting duck. Public health care system is already weak so we must prepare in advance. Public health prevention is better than cure,’’ he added.
Public Health Advisor to the President and Cabinet Doctor Agnes Mahomva said the health ministry is well prepared to protect citizens against Mpox infection.
‘‘Zimbabwe is well prepared. One of the things we are very proud of as a nation is our very strong disease surveillance system as it was one of our key response strategic pillars during the national COVID-19 pandemic. We specifically worked tirelessly to strengthen our disease surveillance system in schools and at all ports of entry working collaboratively with all stakeholders,’’ said Mahomva.
She added ministry officials have continued to strengthen disease surveillance at all ports of entry and are therefore ready for any eventuality.
‘‘In addition to strengthening our surveillance system, the ministry is very much on top of the situation in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance and local data and science,’’ added Mahomva.
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, with two distinct clades: Clade I and Clade II. Common symptoms include a skin rash or mucosal lesions lasting 2 to 4 weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
The virus can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infectious person, contaminated materials, or infected animals.
