Core Insights - Africa is facing the most severe cholera outbreak in 25 years, attributed to weak water infrastructure and ongoing conflicts in certain regions [1] - Over 300,000 cases of cholera and suspected cases have been recorded, with more than 7,000 deaths, representing an increase of over 30% compared to last year [1] Water Infrastructure - Cholera thrives in areas with weak water treatment systems and contaminated water sources, leading to a significant rise in cases in countries like Angola and Burundi due to insufficient safe drinking water [1] - The outbreak has seen a sharp increase in recent weeks, highlighting the urgent need for improved water infrastructure [1] Regional Impact - While some regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia have seen improvements in the cholera situation, conflict-affected areas remain vulnerable [1] - Overcrowded conditions in refugee camps and poor sanitation accelerate the spread of the virus in these regions [1] Other Health Risks - Despite a decrease in monkeypox outbreaks in some heavily affected countries, risks persist in Kenya, Guinea, Liberia, and Ghana [1]

Core Points - The Netherlands has confirmed its first case of a new strain of monkeypox virus, indicating the ongoing global spread of the monkeypox epidemic [1] - The patient, who is unvaccinated and has no recent travel history, contracted the "branch Ib" strain after sexual contact with other males [1] - The risk of further spread in the Netherlands is considered low, and health authorities are investigating the source of the infection [1] - The World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control are closely monitoring the situation due to recent cases in Spain and the United States [1] - Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease with symptoms including fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy, and has a low fatality rate with most patients recovering within weeks [1] - The "branch I" and "branch II" strains of the monkeypox virus have been identified, with the "branch Ib" variant emerging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023 and spreading internationally [1] Summary of Related Events - In August 2024, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox epidemic a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern," but this alert was lifted in September 2024 [2] - The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention still recognizes the monkeypox epidemic as a public health emergency in Africa [2]

Core Points - Zambia has reported a total of 285 confirmed cases of monkeypox since the first case was reported in October last year [1] - From September 27 to October 3, Zambia recorded 6 new confirmed cases and 94 new suspected cases, with no new deaths reported [1] - The total number of deaths remains at 3, with 15 active cases currently in the country [1] - The monkeypox outbreak has affected all 10 provinces in Zambia [1] - The World Health Organization declared on September 5 that the monkeypox outbreak no longer constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern" [1] - However, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined on September 4 that the monkeypox outbreak still represents a public health emergency in Africa [1] - Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus and is primarily transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, with symptoms including painful rashes, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, and muscle pain [1]

Core Points - The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan and Kobe City confirmed the first case of the "branch Ib" strain of monkeypox virus in Japan, involving a woman in her 20s who recently traveled to Africa [1] - The woman exhibited symptoms including rash, blisters, fever, and swollen lymph nodes, and her condition is currently stable [1] - The "branch Ib" strain is a variant of the monkeypox virus strain "branch I," which emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023 and has spread to other countries [1] - The World Health Organization declared on September 5 that the monkeypox outbreak no longer constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern," while the Africa CDC still considers it a public health emergency in Africa as of September 4 [1] Summary by Category Infection Details - A woman in her 20s in Kobe City is confirmed to have the "branch Ib" strain of monkeypox virus, marking Japan's first reported case of this strain [1] - Symptoms include rash, blisters, fever, and swollen lymph nodes, with the patient's condition being stable [1] Virus Strain Information - The "branch Ib" strain is a variant of the monkeypox virus strain "branch I," which was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023 and has since spread to other regions [1] Public Health Response - The World Health Organization announced on September 5 that the monkeypox outbreak is no longer a public health emergency of international concern [1] - The Africa CDC, however, maintains that the monkeypox outbreak still constitutes a public health emergency in Africa as of September 4 [1]

Core Points - The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the monkeypox outbreak no longer constitutes a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" [1] - This decision is based on the continuous decline in case numbers and deaths in affected countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda [1] - WHO emphasized that the threat is not over and that monitoring and response capabilities must remain in place, especially for vulnerable groups [1] Summary by Categories Public Health Status - The monkeypox outbreak has seen a significant decrease in cases and fatalities, leading to the WHO's decision to lift the emergency status [1] - The African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still classify monkeypox as a public health emergency in Africa [1] Understanding of the Disease - WHO has gained a deeper understanding of the transmission dynamics and severe risk factors associated with monkeypox [1] - Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes, which can progress to widespread rashes [1] Historical Context - The WHO declared monkeypox a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" in July 2022, which was lifted in May 2023 [1] - The outbreak was reclassified as a public health emergency again in August 2024 [1]

Core Viewpoint - The World Health Organization's Africa office reports the spread of monkeypox across multiple African countries, with the emergence of mutated strains, particularly the IIb variant found in Gambia and Mozambique [1] Summary by Sections Monkeypox Variants - The IIb variant of monkeypox has been identified in patients from Gambia and Mozambique [1] - Other variants such as Ia and Ib have been reported in Central Africa, while the Ib variant has been noted in East Africa [1] Current Situation - Over the past six weeks, 21 African countries have experienced ongoing monkeypox outbreaks [1] - Despite effective control measures in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda is witnessing an increase in cases [1] Global Context - A total of 79 countries worldwide have reported monkeypox cases, with 30,022 confirmed cases and 119 deaths attributed to the disease [1]

Group 1 - The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak as a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" again as of August 14, 2024, due to a new, more lethal strain spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries [1][2] - Since January 2024, over 37,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported globally, resulting in 125 deaths, with the DRC accounting for 60% of the cases and 40% of the deaths [2][1] - The DRC continues to report 2,000 to 3,000 suspected cases weekly, indicating that the outbreak is not effectively contained [1]

Core Viewpoint - The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the monkeypox outbreak continues to constitute a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" as of June 9, 2024, due to the rapid spread of a more lethal strain of the virus in several African countries [1] Summary by Relevant Categories Outbreak Status - Since May 2022, over 100 countries and regions have reported cases of monkeypox [1] - The WHO initially declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in July 2022, which was lifted in May 2023, but reinstated on August 14, 2024 [1] Virus Strain and Spread - A new, more deadly strain of the monkeypox virus is spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has extended to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which had previously not reported any cases [1]

Core Insights - The monkeypox outbreak in Sierra Leone has resulted in 6 fatalities as confirmed by the Minister of Health, Austin Demby [1] - As of June 26, the country has reported a total of 763 confirmed cases of monkeypox, with 282 recoveries [1] Summary by Categories Health Impact - The monkeypox outbreak has led to 6 deaths in Sierra Leone [1] - Total confirmed cases stand at 763, with 282 individuals having recovered [1]