VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Two major transit countries for illegal immigration to Europe; Tunisia and Libya, has tightened health surveillance in response to the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global mpox emergency. While confirming that no cases of the virus, formerly known as monkeypox, have been detected, the Tunisian Health Ministry added, “The situation is under constant monitoring”. Mpox is transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials. Symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
Meanwhile, the Libyan National Center for Disease Control announced that it had taken urgent measures for international health control offices at all land, sea and air ports, raising the state of alert and readiness amid the outbreak of monkey pox (Mpox).
The Libyan National Center for Disease Control also reassured everyone that so far no case had been recorded in Libya and confirmed the readiness of all departments to confront this disease and take all necessary measures for the safety of citizens and residents according to its competencies across the country.
However, health experts warn that Libyàs fragile healthcare system could be overwhelmed if monkeypox begins to spread. The combination of unchecked migrant entry and a weakened public health infrastructure could make containing an outbreak extremely challenging.
Tunisia and Libya are facing the looming threat of a monkeypox outbreak as thousands of African migrants enter both countries without undergoing any medical screenings.
As key transit point for migrants from Africa en route to Europe, Libya is particularly vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases, including monkeypox, due to the lack of health checks at its borders.
The African Center for Disease Control announced a state of health emergency in the entire African continent after the increase in Mpox cases in 16 countries so far, as the disease entered some countries for the first time.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared monkeypox a global health emergency following a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighboring African countries. In 2024 alone, the WHO recorded over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths across Africa, with more than 96% of these occurring in the DRC. The virus has already spread to countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, leading the WHO to issue its emergency declaration.
– photo: Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).
