Many kids are dying in a new, more deadly outbreak of mpox.

According to World Vision, children are facing a grave threat from a deadly outbreak of mpox that is currently spreading across Central and West Africa. The situation is especially concerning in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak is currently concentrated. However, there are fears that other areas, such as Sudan and South Sudan, could also be affected due to the ongoing civil war in those regions. The conflict has resulted in famine and displacement, leaving people vulnerable to the spread of the disease.

Out of the reported 7,851 cases of mpox in Congo, a staggering 39% are children under the age of five. Tragically, there have been 240 deaths among this age group so far. The statistics are even more alarming when looking at the overall impact of the disease in the country. Children under 15 make up more than 70% of all mpox cases and 85% of the deaths. This is a concerning trend that has caught the attention of World Vision Australia's CEO, Daniel Wordsworth.

Wordsworth expressed his concern over the situation, stating that this is a new and more dangerous strain of mpox than what was seen in previous outbreaks. He emphasized that it is the children in low-income countries, like the DRC, who will suffer the most from this illness. This is due to the lack of access to clean water, nutritious food, and medical resources in these areas. Wordsworth called on international governments to join forces and provide vaccinations and health advice to prevent the further spread of the disease.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also declared this new mpox outbreak a global health emergency earlier this week. According to WHO, there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa this year, surpassing the numbers from last year. The Congolese authorities have requested four million vaccine doses, primarily for young children, but they have not yet received any. Cris Kacita Osako, coordinator of Congo's Monkeypox Response Committee, confirmed this.

Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases expert at Emory University, expressed her concern about the lack of response to this emergency. She noted that the last time WHO declared an emergency for mpox, it did not have much impact on providing necessary resources like diagnostic tests, medicines, and vaccines to Africa. Dr. Titanji also admitted that it is unclear why children are being disproportionately affected by mpox in Congo. It could be due to their vulnerability to the virus or other social factors, such as overcrowding and exposure to infected parents.

In the face of this crisis, World Vision urges people to stay informed and support their efforts to provide aid to those affected by the outbreak. They have set up a WhatsApp channel where people can stay updated on the latest news, including breaking news, updates on celebrities, and sports news. This platform is free from algorithms and comments, ensuring the privacy of its users.

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