East Africa on High Alert as Novel Mpox Strain Spreads Across Borders

Thursday 29 August 2024 - 14:45

The bustling border town of Malaba, straddling Kenya and Uganda, has become a focal point of concern as health officials heighten surveillance measures against a new strain of the mpox virus. This development comes in the wake of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the Clade 1b variant a global health emergency on August 14.

Mary Malisi, a Kenyan businesswoman who frequently crosses the border, has noticed increased health screenings. "We are directed to hand washing points on arrival in both countries. When I come back to Kenya, I have to be tested," she explained, highlighting the growing awareness and precautions being implemented.

The Clade 1b variant has already infected over 19,000 people, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with cases now reported in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. These nations are grappling with mpox for the first time, raising alarm among health authorities and border communities alike.

Dr. Pierre Olivier, working with the medical aid agency Medair in North Kivu's capital, Goma, emphasizes the challenges faced by the DRC. "We are not only trying to manage the spread of the disease but the stigma that is now being associated with it," he stated, pointing out the reluctance of some patients to seek medical help due to misconceptions about the virus.

The situation is further complicated by ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC, where armed groups like M23 have displaced millions. Ayona Munyakazia, living in a displacement camp in Goma, expressed the fears shared by many: "We are afraid of the disease. We normally go to the forest to look for food for the children. But now we are told by health officials we should avoid going to the forest or we might bring the disease."

As the virus spreads, African countries are calling for urgent action. Dr. Samoel Ashimosi Khamadi, director of virus research at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), voiced frustration over the slow vaccine rollout: "We feel this outbreak is not receiving the attention it deserves. From our experience with COVID-19, we learnt that vaccines are very important in preventing the spread of the virus."

The WHO is expected to deploy the first batch of vaccines, but the process has been slow. Meanwhile, Nigeria has become the first African country to receive vaccine doses, with 10,000 doses donated by the United States.

As border regions like Malaba continue to buzz with activity, the specter of mpox looms large. Health officials, community leaders, and citizens alike are working to balance daily life with necessary precautions, hoping for swift international support to contain this emerging threat to public health in East Africa.