Pope Francis Calls for Global Action to Combat Mpox Outbreak
Pope Francis has highlighted the victims of the mpox virus in his weekly prayers, urging governments and the pharmaceutical industry to do more to get vaccines to the worst-hit countries. The virus has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), with cases surging from the Democratic Republic of Congo to other African nations.
In his Angelus prayers in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the local churches most affected by the disease and prayed for all infected people, particularly those in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also called on governments and private industry to share technology and available treatments to ensure nobody lacks adapted medical care.
The WHO has declared the surge of mpox cases a global health emergency, citing the rapid spread of the virus and the need for greater production and sharing of vaccines. The organization has also emphasized the importance of addressing the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus has killed over 570 people this year.
The recent surge in cases is attributed to a new, more deadly and transmissible strain of the virus, known as Clade 1b. According to the WHO, Clade 1b causes death in about 3.6 percent of cases, with children being more at risk.
The virus has spread rapidly across the Democratic Republic of Congo, with outbreaks also reported in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda since July. The first case in Europe was reported in Sweden last week.
Mpox can spread from animals to humans, as well as between humans through close physical contact. The WHO has emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact with infected individuals and practicing good hygiene.
The global community is urged to take action to combat the mpox outbreak, with Pope Francis’ call for increased cooperation and sharing of resources serving as a timely reminder of the need for collective action to address this global health emergency.
