The African continent is grappling with an unprecedented surge in mpox (monkeypox) cases since the start of 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) has elevated the outbreak response to the highest level, requiring organization-wide mobilization and scale-up.
According to the latest data, 15 African countries are currently reporting mpox outbreaks, with a total of 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths so far this year. This marks a significant increase compared to the 1,145 cases and 7 deaths recorded in the whole of 2023.
The spread of the virus has expanded to include four countries – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda – that were previously unaffected by mpox. This rapid geographical expansion is a major concern for public health authorities in the region.
Notably, a new variant of the virus that emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in September 2023 is now circulating in the eastern part of the country and has been detected in neighboring Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
“The priority is to rapidly interrupt the transmission of the virus,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We’re collaborating with partners in support of countries to reinforce outbreak control measures and ensure that communities are central to ongoing efforts to effectively end these outbreaks.”
WHO is working at the global, regional, and national levels to strengthen key response areas, including disease surveillance, diagnosis testing, clinical care, infection prevention and control, and community engagement. The organization is also mobilizing financial support to help countries effectively respond to the outbreak.
Efforts are underway to accelerate the availability of therapeutics and vaccines, with WHO advancing the process for Emergency Use Listing Procedure to expedite their use during this public health emergency.
Mpox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The virus can also spread from person to person through close contact with bodily fluids, lesions, or contaminated objects. Treatment for mpox patients is primarily supportive, focusing on managing symptoms.
As the outbreak continues to evolve, the WHO and its partners are working closely with African countries to strengthen their response capacities and protect communities from the ongoing threat of mpox.
