AHF Praises Africa CDC for Mpox Response
August 14 2024 - 5:31PM
Business Wire
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today praised the Africa
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for its
strong leadership in declaring Mpox a public health emergency of
continental security and working to secure millions of vaccines to
mitigate the spread. This declaration underscores the urgent need
for coordinated efforts to tackle the increasing threat of the Mpox
virus across Africa.
“We commend the Africa CDC for taking the lead in declaring Mpox
a public health emergency of continental security, recognizing the
significant threat the virus poses to public health across the
continent," said Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief.
"This declaration serves as a call to action for governments and
health organizations and is a reminder of the importance of global
solidarity in combating emerging infectious diseases. Furthermore,
it positions the continent to respond quickly to mitigate the
spread and secure essential medical supplies, diagnostics, and
vaccines to support an adequate response.”
There have been nearly 18,000 confirmed or suspected cases and
more than 500 deaths reported in more than a dozen African Union
countries this year alone, according to Health Policy Watch. The
deadly Mpox outbreak, which causes flu-like symptoms and lesions,
began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and consists of
multiple variants, including the newer Clade Ib—which appears to
spread more easily, particularly among children.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS
organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to
over 2 million clients in 47 countries worldwide in the US, Africa,
Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To
learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org,
find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on
Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare
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U.S. MEDIA CONTACT: Ged Kenslea, Senior Director,
Communications, AHF +1 323 308 1833 work +1.323.791.5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
Denys Nazarov, Director of Global Policy &
Communications, AHF +1.323.308.1829 denys.nazarov@ahf.org