Mpox cases in Africa have surged dramatically, showing an alarming increase of over 500% compared to the previous year, according to recent data released by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The rise in cases comes as the continent grapples with a widespread outbreak that has affected 19 countries and led to over 1,048 deaths this year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency in August, after a new strain of the virus began spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring regions. This new variant, identified as clade Ib, has become a significant concern for public health officials both within Africa and beyond.
Ngashi Ngongo, a representative from Africa CDC, emphasized the severity of the situation during a press briefing, stating, “The situation is not yet under control; we are still on the upward trend generally.” The data underscores the urgency of response efforts, with Central Africa accounting for a staggering 85.7% of the cases and 99.5% of deaths on the continent.
Mpox, which is transmitted through close physical contact—including sexual contact—has shown a troubling trajectory as it spreads beyond African borders. The clade Ib strain has already been detected in European nations such as Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Ngongo highlighted the critical need for continued political and financial support to manage the outbreak effectively. “We need to continue mobilising the political engagement and also mobilizing the financial support that is critical to get the current outbreak under control,” he said, adding, “We do not want this mpox, especially the clade 1b, to become another sexually transmitted pandemic, which would be much more severe than COVID-19.”
The rapid spread and high fatality rate in Central Africa call for immediate and coordinated action. Public health authorities are urging governments, NGOs, and international partners to prioritize resources and strategies to curb the outbreak before it evolves into a more severe global health crisis.
As African nations brace for further challenges in containing the virus, the continent’s response over the coming months will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of the outbreak and preventing further loss of life.
