Amid growing concerns over the spread of infectious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated the monkeypox outbreak in Africa, now known as Mpox, as a global health emergency. This decision, announced on August 14, 2024, underscores the severity of the situation as cases continue to rise sharply across the continent. In response, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health is taking proactive measures by preparing vaccines to mitigate the risk of an outbreak within its borders.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the escalation in Africa’s monkeypox cases could potentially lead to the virus spreading beyond the continent. The decision to declare a global health emergency was not taken lightly, as it reflects the WHO’s assessment of the virus’s potential to become a worldwide concern.
The statistics are alarming: over 14,000 cases of monkeypox have been recorded in Africa in 2024 alone, with 524 deaths reported. This marks a significant increase compared to the previous year, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) bearing the brunt of the outbreak. A staggering 96 percent of all cases and fatalities have occurred in the DRC, according to WHO reports.
The Africa CDC has provided further insights, revealing that monkeypox cases have now been detected in at least 13 countries across the continent. The situation is particularly dire when compared to the same period last year, with a 160 percent increase in cases and a 19 percent rise in deaths recorded in 2024.
Earlier this year, scientists discovered a new strain of monkeypox in a mining town in the DRC. This strain is reported to be more deadly, with a fatality rate of up to 10 percent, and it spreads more easily than previous strains. Unlike earlier outbreaks, this new strain presents with milder symptoms and lesions on the genitals, making it harder to detect and increasing the risk of asymptomatic transmission.
In recent weeks, WHO identified monkeypox cases for the first time in four East African countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. These cases have all been linked to the epidemic in the DRC, raising concerns about the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond.
This year’s monkeypox outbreak in Africa has distinct characteristics that differentiate it from the 2022 epidemic. During the 2022 global outbreak, the majority of cases were reported among gay and bisexual men, with the virus primarily spreading through close physical contact, including sexual activity. However, the current outbreak in Africa is showing a different pattern. Children under the age of 15 now account for more than 70 percent of the cases and 85 percent of the deaths in the DRC.
The WHO’s declaration of the monkeypox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) represents the highest level of alert for the threat of disease spread. This status emphasizes the critical need for global attention and action to prevent the further spread of the virus.
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In Indonesia, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin reassured the public that the government is well-prepared to handle any potential outbreaks. “We are now preparing the vaccine. We’re fortunate because we still have the smallpox vaccine, remember? I’m not sure how long it lasted, but I was vaccinated against smallpox myself. That provides pretty good immunity,” Budi stated during a press briefing at the Vice Presidential Palace on August 15.
Budi emphasized that Indonesia is in a better position compared to some European countries that no longer have the smallpox vaccine in stock. “It provides pretty good immunity. In Europe, they stopped giving it, so they don’t have that immunity. That’s why we still have immunity,” he explained.
The Ministry of Health is currently evaluating whether vaccination should be administered to those who have not yet been vaccinated against smallpox. “We are currently assessing whether it is necessary to administer the vaccine again to groups that haven’t been vaccinated,” Budi added.
As the situation continues to evolve, the WHO and health authorities worldwide are closely monitoring the spread of monkeypox. The goal is to prevent further transmission and protect vulnerable populations, particularly in regions where the virus is spreading rapidly.
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