African health officials have reported a significant increase in mpox (monkeypox) cases, with a 160% spike so far this year, and have highlighted the high risk of further spread due to the lack of effective treatments and vaccines on the continent.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report revealing that mpox has been detected in 10 African countries in 2024, with Congo bearing the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for over 96% of all cases and deaths. The majority of cases and deaths in Congo involve children under 15, raising particular concern.
This year has seen an estimated 14,250 mpox cases in Africa, nearly matching the total number of cases from the previous year, with a 160% increase in cases and a 19% rise in deaths, totaling 456.
New reports of the virus have emerged in Burundi and Rwanda, with fresh outbreaks declared in Kenya and the Central African Republic. In Kenya, the Health Ministry identified mpox in a passenger from Uganda at a border crossing, prompting an outbreak declaration. Central African Republic’s public health minister expressed serious concern about the outbreak affecting the capital region.
The Africa CDC noted a higher death rate of about 3% on the continent compared to less than 1% globally during the 2022 global mpox emergency. The emergence of a deadlier form of mpox, capable of killing up to 10% of infected individuals, was reported earlier this year in a Congolese mining town, potentially indicating easier human-to-human transmission.
This new form of mpox presents milder symptoms with lesions primarily on the genitals, complicating detection compared to previous outbreaks where lesions were more visible on the chest, hands, and feet.
Doctors Without Borders expressed alarm over the expanding outbreak, particularly in camps for displaced people in Congo’s North Kivu region, which borders Rwanda. The organization emphasized the high risk of further spread due to significant population movements.
Despite the severe situation, African countries like Congo have received minimal vaccines and treatments, which have been instrumental in controlling outbreaks in the West. The medical charity has urgently called for vaccine availability to protect the most affected populations.
In May, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the lack of international financial support to contain the mpox outbreak in Africa despite its potential to spread globally. In response, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations announced a study starting next month in Congo and other African countries.
This study aims to determine if administering an mpox vaccine post-exposure can prevent severe illness and death, signaling a proactive step towards addressing the outbreak’s impact on the continent.
