WHO Reports over 800 Deaths from Suspected Smallpox Cases in Africa
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported approximately 30,000 suspected cases of smallpox and over 800 deaths in Africa since the beginning of 2024. This escalating number indicates a concerning trend, highlighting the extent of the outbreak on the continent.
The majority of these cases have been identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leading to a shortage of medical supplies, including testing kits, which has further complicated the situation.
During this period, over 800 individuals have died from the smallpox infections across Africa, according to the latest WHO data. The outbreak is not only confined to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as cases are now emerging in neighboring countries such as Burundi in Central Africa.
In August alone, WHO confirmed 2,082 cases worldwide, marking the highest number since November 2022. In response to this dire epidemic, the World Bank announced that it will allocate $128.89 million from its pandemic response fund to assist 10 African nations in their efforts to contain and combat this smallpox outbreak.
Source: AfricaNews
