The East African Community (EAC) on Monday called on its eight member states to educate their citizens on how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of mpox (monkeypox), an infectious disease caused by the mpox virus.
The alert follows reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) that Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), both members of the EAC, are experiencing an outbreak of the viral disease mpox, the EAC said in a statement issued from its headquarters in Arusha.
The statement said Burundi had confirmed three cases of mpox in the western region of the country, verified by national laboratories and the WHO. Since 2022, the DRC has reported more than 21,000 cases of mpox and more than 1,000 deaths, according to the WHO.
Burundi borders the DRC, Rwanda, and Tanzania, while the DRC borders five EAC member states – Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan. Kenya and Somalia are also members of the EAC.
Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the EAC deputy secretary-general in charge of infrastructure, productive, social, and political sectors, said it was crucial to take preventive measures to minimize the spread of the disease. “EAC member states must provide the necessary information on the disease and take preventive measures,” he said.
The mpox virus spreads from animals to humans and is spread between people through close contact, contaminated objects, and respiratory droplets. Symptoms of mpox include skin rash or lesions, fever, severe headache, muscle aches, back pain, general body weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, typically lasting two to four weeks.
While most cases are mild, severe cases and deaths can occur, the statement said.
About Mpox
Overview
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with a virus, known as Monkeypox virus. This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. People with mpox often get a rash, along with other symptoms. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. Mpox is not related to chickenpox.
Mpox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be spread between animals and people. It is endemic, or found regularly, in parts of Central and West Africa. The virus that causes mpox has been found in small rodents, monkeys, and other mammals that live in these areas.
Discovery and History
Monkeypox virus was discovered in 1958, when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox” originally, the source of the disease remains unknown. Scientists suspect African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people.
The first human case of mpox was recorded in 1970, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2022, mpox spread around the world. Before that, cases of mpox in other places were rare and usually linked to travel or to animals being imported from regions where mpox is endemic.
The World Health Organization renamed the disease in 2022 to follow modern guidelines for naming illnesses. Those guidelines recommend that disease names should avoid offending cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups and minimize unnecessary negative effects on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare. The virus that causes it still has its historic name, however.
Virus Types
There are two types of Monkeypox virus: clade I and clade II.
- Clade I causes more severe illness and deaths. Some outbreaks have killed up to 10% of the people who get sick, although more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa.
- Clade II is the type that caused the global outbreak that began in 2022. Infections from clade II mpox are less severe. More than 99.9% of people survive. Clade II is endemic to West Africa.
Both types of the virus can spread through:
- Direct contact with infected animals
- Close contact (including intimate contact) with a person with mpox
- Direct contact with contaminated materials
Risk of Severe Disease
Although cases of mpox are not life-threatening, some people may be more likely to get severely ill, including
- People with severely weakened immune systems
- Children younger than 1
- People with a history of eczema
- People who are pregnant
Preventing Mpox
There are several ways you can protect yourself and others from mpox, including
- Avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox and animals that carry the mpox virus.
- Learning steps you can take to lower your risk of mpox during sex or at a social gathering.
- Getting vaccinated. Check with your healthcare provider to find out if the mpox vaccine is recommended for you.
