International Public Health
- DRC
Mpox vaccination begins in DRC after 859 die this year
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak in central and east Africa a global emergency two months ago. Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have begun vaccination against Mpox. The DRC, with about 30,000 suspected mpox cases and 859 deaths, accounts for more than 80% of all the cases and 99% of all the deaths reported in Africa this year. All the central African country’s 26 provinces have recorded mpox cases. Although most Mpox infections and deaths recorded in the DRC are in children under 15, the doses being administered are only meant for adults and will be given to at-risk populations and frontline workers. At least 3m doses of the vaccine approved for use in children are expected from Japan in the coming days, Roger Kamba said. (Risk Level: High).
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/05/mpox-vaccination-begins-drc-859-die-this-year-outbreak-emergency
- U.S.
First known US case of person infected with new mpoxstrain reported
US health officials reported Saturday the first known case of a person infected with the new Mpox strain in the country. The person acquired Mpox while traveling to east Africa and was treated for a mild illness in San Mateo, California, according to health officials. The person is isolated at home and is recovering, and there is no evidence that Mpox is spreading in the United States. Cases of travelers with the new variant have been reported in Thailand, Germany, India, Sweden and the UK. In the UK, four individuals in the same household have been confirmed to have the new strain – the only four known cases in the country. (Risk Level: Medium).
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/16/first-known-us-case-mpox-clade-ib
- Nigeria
Monkeypox: Nigeria Records 108 Confirmed Cases – Red cross The Director of Health and Care at the Nigerian Red Cross on Mpox, Dr. Mannir Jega, has confirmed 108 cases of Mpox, spanning 27 states in the country to date. He made this disclosure during the training of health workers from 15 states, held in Kaduna. While acknowledging that Bayelsa State has the highest number of Mpox cases in the country, he confirmed that the North Central region has the highest cases within northern Nigeria. “While we are fortunate that no fatalities have been recorded thus far, we must act decisively to prevent further spread and mitigate its impact,” he stressed. (Risk Level: High).
Voice of Nigeria (VON): https://von.gov.ng/monkey-pox-nigeria-records-108-confirmed-cases-red-cross/
- Global
The world has responded too slowly to the new mpox outbreak – here’s what it needs to do now This is the second Mpox emergency in two years. If we had accelerated research and development in 2022, we might have had many more tools at our disposal now. The longer Mpox is in circulation, the higher the risk of new variants threatening the efficacy of existing vaccines, and tests and treatments in development. Leaders should actively commit to the equitable rollout of pledged vaccines and implementing community-centred public health measures. They should be accelerating access to promising point-of-care tests that identify different Mpox strains and speeding up the evaluation of repurposed treatments, while also investing in development for new treatments and committing to expanding and expediting clinical trials for any promising drugs that arise. (Risk Level: Medium).
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/21/world-responded-slowly-mpox-outbreak
International Security
- Sudan
Russia vetoes Sudan ceasefire resolution at UN Security Council
Russia has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan as the country continues to grapple with a deadly war that has displaced millions of people and spurred a humanitarian crisis. The resolution, authored by the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, had called on all warring parties in Sudan to “immediately cease hostilities” and initiate a dialogue on a “national ceasefire”. Russia was the only member of the 15-member council to vote against the measure on Monday morning, in a move that British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said was “mean, nasty and cynical”.
- Russia
Putin Signs Decree Allowing Use of Nuclear Arms Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a decree broadening the scope of when Moscow can use nuclear weapons in a clear message to the West and Ukraine. The new doctrine outlines that Russia will consider using nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state if they are supported by nuclear powers. The new doctrine also allows Moscow to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a “massive” air attack, even if it only uses conventional weapons.
360NG: https://news360ng.com/putin-signs-decree-allowing-use-of-nuclear-weapons/
- Ukraine
Anti-landmine groups criticise US for sending mines to Ukraine
The US has been criticised by humanitarian organisations for deciding to supply Ukraine with landmines, as the war in eastern Europe rages on. In an interview with the BBC, Human Rights Watch director Mary Wareham said the decision marked a “shocking and devastating development” for those working to eradicate anti-personnel landmines. The approval from Washington is an attempt to slow down Russian troops, who have been steadily advancing into Ukraine’s east in recent months. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said they made their decision because of how Russia had changed its tactics on the battlefield – sending in troops first rather than “mechanized forces”.
