Mpox deaths rise by 107 in one week, Africa CDC calls toll unacceptable

African countries recorded more than 100 mpox-related deaths in the past week, the continental health body said Thursday as it described the rising toll as not acceptable.

Dr Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases had been recorded in the past week, just a week after his agency and the UN World Health Organisation launched a continental response plan.

In the one week, we lost 107 (people). It's too much. It's not acceptable, Kaseya said as he emphasised the need for stronger cross-border surveillance.

Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms like fever, chills and body aches. People with more serious cases can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals.

In testing for the disease, men recorded the highest positivity rate at 63%, while children under the age of 15 were at 41%.

Kaseya said there was need for increased testing and resources to .