Mpox cases continue to rise in several African countries, says WHO
Oct 01, 2024
Geneva [Switzerland], October 1: The number of mpox cases continues to rise in several African countries and the viral disease, formerly known as monkeypox, is also spreading to new areas, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In its latest situation report, the WHO said the West African country of Guinea has reported a case for the first time. The Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa is the most affected. This year, 85% of the approximately 6,600 mpox cases confirmed by lab tests have been registered there. Across Africa, 32 people with confirmed infections have died this year, 25 of them in the Congo. Due to often lacking test and laboratory capacities, only 37% of suspected cases in the country are tested, the WHO said. The suspicion has been confirmed in about 55% of cases, it said. (dpa
