Mpox outbreak in Africa 2024

The United States has firmly stated that it has no plans to impose travel restrictions on individuals arriving from African countries despite the rise in mpox (monkeypox) cases. This clarification came from the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, John Nkengasong, during an online press briefing on Monday, 16th September 2024.

In response to growing concerns and rumors that the U.S. might introduce travel restrictions akin to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nkengasong emphasized, “The US currently does not plan to put in place travel restrictions for people traveling from Africa. So that is really a rumor, and we do not at this point think that is going to happen.”

His remarks aimed to dispel concerns that the U.S. would require mandatory vaccinations or other travel-related restrictions for African travelers. Nkengasong reiterated that the U.S. government is not considering any such actions and has no plans for travel policies similar to the COVID-19 measures. Instead, he emphasized that the U.S. would continue working closely with African health authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to control the outbreak.

Mpox in Africa and U.S. Support

Mpox has been an ongoing public health challenge in several African countries, with cases surging significantly in 2024. According to reports from the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana have been particularly hard-hit by the outbreak. Moreover, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing the worst of it, accounting for over 96% of all mpox cases and deaths reported in Africa this year.

With the continent recording 37,583 cases and 1,451 deaths in 2024 alone, the situation has evolved into a critical public health emergency. In the first half of the year, infections across Africa surged by 160%, leading to an alarming rise in fatalities. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, had already declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern twice, first in May 2022 and again in August 2024.

The U.S. has stepped up its efforts to combat the spread of mpox in Africa. Nkengasong announced that the U.S. would continue to mobilize resources, including an additional $35 million recently pledged by USAID to support efforts to control the mpox outbreak. “We will stay committed until we bring this outbreak under control in collaboration with WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners,” he noted.

In addition to this recent contribution, the U.S. has already allocated more than $2.65 billion in bilateral health funding to Central and East African countries. These efforts highlight the ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and African nations in addressing not only mpox but other health crises affecting the continent.

Addressing Concerns and Enhancing Global Health Security

While Africa battles the mpox outbreak, the U.S. has been working to enhance global health security. The aim is not only to control the spread of mpox but also to prevent future outbreaks from escalating into pandemics. This aligns with the U.S.’s broader health initiatives, which include strengthening health infrastructure and supporting disease surveillance in Africa.

The WHO’s active involvement, combined with U.S. financial and technical support, reflects the global commitment to controlling the mpox outbreak. The U.S. Ambassador for Global Health Security emphasized that no country should face such crises alone. Collaborative efforts are crucial to effectively controlling the outbreak and preventing the disease from evolving into a global health crisis.

As health authorities work tirelessly to contain the outbreak, the message from U.S. officials remains clear: there are no immediate plans to impose travel restrictions on Africans. Instead, the U.S. and its partners will focus on providing the necessary resources and support to bring the mpox outbreak under control.

Conclusion

The U.S.’s refusal to impose travel restrictions amid rising mpox cases demonstrates a commitment to global health security while prioritizing collaboration with African countries and international health organizations. With additional funding and support from USAID and ongoing partnerships with the WHO and Africa CDC, the aim is to manage and control the outbreak, ensuring that Africa does not face this challenge alone.

Source: Mpox: No Plan to Impose Travel Restrictions on Africans, Says US

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