The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on Tuesday, May 31, for the need to standardize the response to monkeypox around the world, while cases of the disease are increasing.
WHO says it has identified a total of nearly 1,400 cases of monkeypox in Africa, including 1,392 suspected and 44 confirmed cases, since the beginning of this year 2022. The countries concerned are Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, Congo and Sierra Leone.
On May 25, the European Union disease agency reported 219 confirmed cases outside countries where the disease is endemic.
« We must avoid having two different responses – one for Western countries that do not experience significant transmissions and another for Africa, » said Moeti in front of this table.
“We must work together and carry out joint actions at the global level that take into account Africa’s experience, expertise and needs. This is the only way to ensure that surveillance is strengthened and the evolution of the disease is better understood, while generalizing preparedness and response to stem any spread,” she continued.
On the issue of vaccines, the WHO Regional Director for Africa pleaded “that the continent have equal access to effective vaccines against monkeypox”. We need to make sure “the doses reach all communities in need globally,” she added.
These remarks recall the fight led by the UN body to allow countries on different continents to have equitable access to vaccines against Covid-19. The WHO wants to take the lead, although it does not currently fear that the spread of the monkeypox virus could trigger a global pandemic. Vaccination is essential to prevent disease.
By OMA Newsletter N° 723 of 01/06/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
