Is Monkeypox really an issue for Africa?
The WHO has raised concerns about the disease – but why now when there have been cases since the 1970s?
Monkeypox was first detected in Nigeria and the DRC in the 1970s. Since then there’ve been a number of cases in West African countries including Cameroon, the Central Africa Republic and Sierra Leone – but it hasn’t been a problem for much of the rest of the continent – and compared to major killers like malaria, HIV and TB, very few people actually die from it.
And yet the World Health Organisation says African countries should be on alert - and prepare their response to it.
So why is it a priority now? Is it just because people in western nations have been affected? Or is it really a new global threat?
Alan Kasujja looks at the issue for Africa Daily.
Podcast
-
![]()
Africa Daily
One question to wake up to every weekday morning. One story from Africa, for Africa
