MOGADISHU, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Somali Ministry of Health and Human Services has launched an awareness campaign on mpox, which has emerged as a public health emergency of major concern in Africa amid a surge in cross-border transmission.
The ministry said in a health alert released Tuesday that the campaign will provide information on symptoms of the virus, preventive measures, its risks, and how mpox is transmitted.
The ministry said its surveillance team has not detected or reported any cases of the disease in Somalia. "However, Kenya, a neighboring country, has confirmed the presence of the disease with one case. Therefore, the Ministry of Health considers the situation a significant health threat that requires full vigilance."
The ministry said its health workers will use social media, posters, and pamphlets to disseminate information across the country about mpox, whose prevention and control rely on raising awareness in communities and educating health workers to prevent infection and stop transmission.
The ministry also called on citizens to immediately seek medication attention should they experience symptoms of the virus and to follow the recommended preventive measures.
The mpox campaign by Somalia came after the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Aug. 8 that the African region is experiencing a record increase in mpox cases since the start of 2024, with more countries previously unaffected by the disease reporting cases in an expanding spread of the virus.
The WHO has since elevated the mpox outbreak response to the highest level, requiring organization-wide mobilization and scale-up. ■