by , Dpa

Mpox Virus Particle Colorized transmission electron micrograph of an mpox virus particle (yellow and red) found within an infected VERO E6 cell (blue), cultured in the laboratory. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID/CC0 Public Domain

A total of 2,729 new suspected cases of the disease mpox have been reported in Africa over the period of one week, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of these, 1,001 have been confirmed through tests, said Ngashi Ngongo, the head of the mpox team at the Africa CDC.

He added that this number, however, does not provide reassurance regarding the other cases, as it is due to limited testing and laboratory capacities in the affected countries.

Additionally, 26 deaths have been recorded, he said.

The Africa CDC also revised its figures from the previous week concerning the deaths since the beginning of the year, stating that there had been 1,014 deaths out of 45,327 suspected cases in Africa. The previous week, the authority had reported 1,100 deaths.

In the past four weeks, no cases have been confirmed in Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea, Rwanda and South Africa, it stated further.

However, many cases among children, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are a cause for concern, according to the reports, as they are simultaneously suffering from mpox and measles. Although vaccinations against mpox have now begun in this central African country, the available vaccine is only for adults.

In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern due to the increasing spread of mpox in Africa. This is the highest alert level intended to prompt heightened attention from authorities worldwide.

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