Africa's top health body declares monkeypox a 'public health emergency'

Director General of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Jean Kaseya conducts a press conference at the sidelines of the second day of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa on February 18, 2024. © Amanuel Sileshi, AFP

Mpox, the high infectious disease that used to be called monkeypox, has been declared a “public health emergency of continental security” by Africa’s top health body over an outbreak that spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring countries.

The African Union’s health watchdog on Tuesday declared a public health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak on the continent.