A patient with Monkeypox
By EMMANUEL KUJE, Abuja-
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has sounded the alarm over a dual public health crisis in Africa, as cholera and mpox cases surge across multiple countries.
According to the Director-General of the Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, the continent is facing a dire situation, with Africa now accounting for 60% of all global cholera cases and 93.5% of global cholera-related deaths.
“We are not only seeing more widespread transmission, but also significant gaps in surveillance, vaccination coverage, basic water and sanitation services, which are exacerbating both cholera and mpox outbreaks,” Kaseya said during a weekly webinar media briefing.
He highlighted that children are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with up to 47% of all reported cholera cases and 37% of cholera deaths occurring among those under 15 years.
The Africa CDC has identified Angola, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Sudan as the four hardest-hit countries, accounting for 85% of Africa’s total cholera cases and 92% of its deaths.
Kaseya emphasized the need for coordinated action, including the formation of Presidential Task Forces in affected countries, emergency water and sanitation interventions, and sustained funding for vaccine procurement.
Regarding mpox, Kaseya noted that the disease is rapidly spreading, with Sierra Leone, the DRC, Uganda, and Burundi collectively responsible for 94% of confirmed cases reported during epidemiological week 2021.
“Sierra Leone alone contributed 53% of the continent’s new confirmed mpox cases in that period,” he added.
The Africa CDC is calling for increased investment in health infrastructure and coordinated action to address the dual health emergency.
“These emergencies will not wait for us to catch up. We need decisive political commitment, financial investment and a united continental response to protect the health of our people,” Kaseya urged.
The continent requires 43 million doses of oral cholera vaccine annually, but received only 26 million doses in 2024.
Efforts are underway to close this gap, with manufacturing facilities being developed in South Africa, Ghana, and Zambia.
However, these facilities will not be fully operational until 2027.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Africa CDC is working tirelessly to support affected countries and coordinate a response to the dual health emergency.
