Churches in Africa remained alert as the mpox disease spread in parts of the continent, prompting international health organisations to declare it a health emergency.

The World Health Organisation, on August 14, declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern. A day before, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named mpox a public health emergency.

The decisions follow a surge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where by August there had been 15,600 infections and 537 deaths. At least 15 African countries, including Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya, had reported cases and heightened surveillance. Outside Africa, Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines reported cases of the new strain, which is spreading faster and wider.

“It is a concern for us as the faith sector. We are looking to Africa CDC and the World Health Organisation to provide us with a direction,” said Nkatha Njeru, chief executive officer at the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform, an organisation with a membership in 30 African countries.

“Overall, at our level, we continue to monitor the situation. We are talking to our countries and continue to point them to any information we get.”

Mpox, formerly known as the monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by monkeypox virus and is in the same family as smallpox. It can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.

For most people, the infection causes a relatively mild disease characterised by fever, headaches, rashes, and blisters on the skin. But for people with weakened immune systems, the outcomes of the disease can be worse, causing severe illness with more serious skin lesions and other problems that can lead to death. Four out of 100 people with Mpox are estimated to manifest severe symptoms of this current strain.

The disease has been intense in the DRC due to the tropical forest conditions, and the conflict that has displaced people into refugee camps has exacerbated the situation.

“Children are especially at risk where they are living in refugee camps, overcrowded urban settlements, and where malnutrition, a lack of clean water and sanitation, and poor health services exist,” said Aline Napon, World Vision national director.

She urged immediate international response, including the sharing of accurate health messaging. This is crucial in reducing misinformation and stigma, and ensuring that everyone is well-informed about the situation. “World Vision’s experience in tackling Ebola and COVID in humanitarian situations tells us there is no time to waste,” Napon added.

World Council of Churches general secretary, the Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay said that this public health emergency obliges the world to work together, collaborate closely, be committed, and invest in overcoming this emerging crisis.

He called on churches and faith communities to be “informed and to communicate reliable information regarding the outbreak and to work against misinformation,” adding that churches can also educate “communities in the prevention of transmission” and “prevent the stigmatisation of people affected.”

He also called on countries in the global north to release mpox vaccines to poorer countries where they are needed. (WCC)