Is Monkeypox really an issue for Africa?
The WHO has raised concerns – but why now when there’ve been cases since the 1970s?
Africa Daily · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
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.