The Fitch Ratings rating agency reported that the MPOX epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa could have an impact on the economy and public finances.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the MPOX epidemic a global health emergency. While the Africa CDC is planning their intervention, the vaccines should arrive in the DRC by September 1.

Selon Fitch Ratings One A significant increase in the number of cases of smallpox could disrupt consumption and production, which could cause difficulties in managing inflation, especially if food production or logistics are affected. The agency also indicated that the worsening of the smallpox epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa could have a negative impact on economic activity and weigh on the public finances of affected countries. The virus has caused more than 575 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year, the epicenter of the epidemic, and has spread to at least eight other African countries, as well as to Sweden and to Thailand. Fitch also pointed out that the smallpox epidemic could harm the tourism sector in Africa, which is vital to the economies of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Tourism accounts for 11 to 20% of these countries' total export earnings of goods and services, according to United Nations data.