The World health organization WHO warns of a growing risk of outbreaks caused by zoonotic pathogens, such as the monkeypox virus which originated in animals on the continent.

The UN health agency says there is a 63-per cent increase in the number of zoonotic outbreaks in Africa from 2012 to 2022 compared to the period from 2001 to 2011.

The WHO regional office for Africa, citing a new study, adds that the continent has reported over 1,800 substantiated public health events since 2001.

Of this 30 percent, were zoonotic disease outbreaks, in particular linked to the Ebola virus, dengue fever, anthrax, plague, monkeypox and a range of other diseases.

According to WHO, the population growth on the African continent is leading to rising urbanization and encroachment on the habitats of wildlife, which increases the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks spreading from remote areas where there are few inhabitants to large urban areas.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, is the WHO regional director for Africa.