Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, August 2, 2024: The Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) of the African Union (AU) has approved an emergency fund allocation of $10.4 million from the existing COVID-19 funds for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This funding aims to bolster ongoing efforts to combat the Mpox outbreak across the continent.
From January to July 2024, 15,074 Mpox cases (2,853 confirmed; 12,221 suspected) and 461 deaths (a case fatality rate of 3.06%) have been reported across twelve AU Member States. This represents a 160% increase in cases and a 19% increase in deaths compared to the same period in 2023. The PRC’s timely financial support is expected to significantly enhance the continent’s capacity to address this escalating public health crisis.
The emergency funds will be strategically utilized to support five critical areas in the fight against Mpox: (1) enhancing Mpox surveillance and deployment surge capacity, (2) boosting laboratory testing and genomic sequencing capacity, (3) strengthening regional and national data collection and analytics, (4) enhancing case management, infection prevention and control, and risk communication and community engagement, and (5) improving access and delivery of vaccines, diagnostics, and supplies across the continent.
In line with the Ethiopian Media Council Code of Conduct, journalists and media professionals covering this development are reminded to adhere to principles of accuracy and fairness in their reporting. According to the code, media practitioners should provide unbiased information, include all relevant aspects of the story, and clearly distinguish between comments and factual reports. Reports should be free from exaggeration and should respect the dignity of those affected by the outbreak (Final-English-EMC-Code-…).
The allocation of these funds underscores the AU’s commitment to a unified and robust response to public health emergencies. By leveraging this financial support, Africa CDC aims to mitigate the impact of Mpox and protect the health and well-being of millions across the continent.
