As global health authorities sound the alarm over the resurgence of Mpox—formerly known as monkeypox—Tunisia is ramping up its preventive measures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended that countries experiencing a resurgence of the virus, particularly in Africa, should consider launching vaccination campaigns in affected areas.
This comes in response to an uptick in Mpox cases, particularly the clade 1b variant, which has been spreading in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
While the WHO had previously issued similar recommendations during the 2022 Mpox outbreak, which was driven by the clade 2b variant, the alert was lifted in May 2023.
However, with the recent resurgence, the WHO has emphasized the importance of national control plans and maintaining surveillance capacity, particularly in regions currently affected by the virus.
In Tunisia, health authorities have taken proactive steps to prevent the potential spread of Mpox.
According to Kaouthar Harabech, head of the primary health care department, preventive measures have been intensified at travel entry points, including the installation of isolation units to prevent transmission. These units have been set up at all land crossings, the port of La Goulette, and Tunis-Carthage airport.
Harabech also dismissed concerns that Mpox could enter Tunisia through illegal migration channels, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Health has decided to reinforce health surveillance at all points of entry to ensure the virus does not make its way into the country.
Mpox, a viral disease that was first discovered in monkeys in the 1950s and identified in humans in the DRC in 1970, has caused concern due to its symptoms and potential severity.
According to virology specialist Mahjoub El Ouni, the virus can cause headaches, skin rashes, and in some cases, death—especially with the new strain circulating.
While Mpox has primarily been confined to small outbreaks in Central and West Africa in recent years, the virus spread globally in 2022, reaching countries where it had never previously circulated.
The disease is transmitted from animals to humans, but it can also spread through close physical contact with an infected person.
As Tunisia steps up its efforts to combat the potential threat of Mpox, the question remains: will vaccination against the virus become mandatory? For now, the country is focused on preventive measures and surveillance, but the situation remains fluid as health authorities closely monitor developments both regionally and globally.
