Your Support Helps Us to Tell the Story
As a White House correspondent, my role is to ask the tough questions and seek answers that truly matter to you, the public. The work I do is not just about reporting the news; it’s about holding those in power accountable and ensuring transparency in our government. However, this vital work cannot be done without your support.
The Importance of Your Contributions
Your support enables me to be in the room where decisions are made, pressing for clarity and accountability from our leaders. Without your contributions, we would lack the necessary resources to challenge those in power effectively. Every donation you make helps to sustain our efforts in investigative journalism, allowing us to keep you informed every step of the way, especially as we approach the crucial November elections.
The Current Public Health Emergency
In addition to political reporting, I also cover significant public health issues that affect our communities. Recently, a public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to a new outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in several African nations. This outbreak has raised alarms as cases have also been reported outside the continent.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at the epicenter of this outbreak, accounting for an alarming 96% of all cases in Africa. As of now, more than 17,000 cases have been confirmed across the continent, prompting the WHO to label the situation as one of “international concern.”
Understanding the New Strain
The emergence of a new strain, named clade 1b, has been particularly concerning. This strain is reportedly spreading mainly through sexual networks and has been identified in countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—regions that have never reported cases of mpox before. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s Director-General, has emphasized the need for a comprehensive and coordinated plan of action to control these outbreaks.
Global Response and Preparedness
The WHO has launched a ‘global strategic preparedness and response plan’ aimed at preventing the spread of this new strain. Dr. Tedros stated, “The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries can be controlled, and can be stopped.” This plan requires international cooperation and resources, with an initial funding requirement of $15 million to effectively respond to the crisis.
In Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported over 100,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox clade 1 and clade 2 across more than 120 countries, resulting in over 200 deaths. The emergence of clade 1b, which has been detected in countries like Sweden, India, and Thailand, adds to the urgency of the situation.
The Role of the United States
In response to the outbreak, the U.S. government has assessed the risk to the general public as “very low,” with no reported cases of clade 1 within the country. However, the U.S. has seen 1,399 cases of other mpox strains since the beginning of the year, nearly matching the numbers in the DRC. To bolster preparedness and response efforts in Central and Eastern Africa, the U.S. has allocated an additional $17 million for health support, enhancing surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement.
Conclusion: The Need for Continued Support
As we navigate these pressing issues—both political and public health-related—your support remains crucial. It empowers journalists like me to continue our work, ensuring that you are informed about the developments that matter most. Together, we can hold those in power accountable and advocate for transparency in our government and public health systems. Your contributions make a difference, allowing us to tell the stories that need to be told. Thank you for standing with us in this important work.