As cases of Mpox disease continue to rise, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appealed to developed countries to support Africa in tackling the ongoing mpox outbreak.

Speaking during an online briefing, Director General, Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, said Africa is short of a $600 million target to tackle the disease, which is present in 14 countries on the continent. He commended African Union member states that have already contributed to the six-month response plan budget for Mpox response.

According to Africa CDC, 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases had been recorded in the past week; after his agency and the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a continental response plan.

Criticism was leveled at Western nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with claims they abandoned Africa by hoarding vaccines or by prioritising shipments to richer nations.

“As we know, the trust was broken between Western countries and Africa. It’s time for solidarity,” said Kaseya. Kaseya stressed the need for increased testing and resources to support it, adding that the continent was not testing enough and that it “cannot rely on only confirmed cases for decision-making and response.”