August 14 saw the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declare mpox as a public health emergency of continental security, followed by the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizing it as a public health emergency of international concern.
Mpox, a highly contagious disease transmitted primarily through close contact with infected individuals, has experienced a significant increase in cases this year, with over 17,000 reported cases and more than 500 deaths, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Symptoms include a blistering rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and muscle aches. Experts have noted that the current variant of the virus appears to have differences from previous outbreaks, with increased transmission occurring heterosexually and spreading to children through close interactions within families.
The Africa CDC has stressed the importance of global solidarity in responding to this outbreak. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Africa CDC’s director-general, has urged the international community to refrain from implementing punitive measures like travel bans against African countries. There is a critical need for support, particularly access to vaccines, from countries with ample stockpiles that are not currently facing active outbreaks. Kaseya emphasized the need to avoid punishing Africa, highlighting the unfair treatment the continent faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and emphasizing the necessity of a fair and equitable global response.
Global health experts have cautioned that the African continent often faces delays in accessing lifesaving tools. The continent’s delayed access to HIV/AIDS treatments, Ebola response resources, Covid-19 vaccines, and now mpox interventions underscore the ongoing disparities in global health access. The response to the 2022 mpox outbreak, which primarily affected men who have sex with men, exemplified the dangers of stigmatizing this community. Human Rights Watch has previously warned about the exploitation of public health crises to marginalize vulnerable groups and emphasized the importance of prioritizing human rights in any response.
As the current mpox outbreak persists, it is crucial to apply human rights principles to this public health challenge. Ensuring universal access to necessary healthcare resources, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status, is not only a legal and moral obligation but also a vital aspect of controlling the spread of this and future infectious diseases.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).