Africa is witnessing an alarming surge in mpox cases, prompting the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to launch a joint continental response plan with the World Health Organization (WHO). The six-month plan, running from September 2024 to February 2025, aims to curb the spread of the virus with an estimated budget of nearly $600 million.
Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa CDC, announced during an online press briefing that since 2024, the continent has reported 24,851 suspected mpox cases, including 5,549 confirmed cases and 643 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for 90 percent of reported cases with 20,463 suspected cases and 635 deaths.
“There is an upward trend in mpox cases across Africa,” Kaseya warned, noting that at least 14 countries have been affected, particularly since May 2024.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called for a unified approach to contain the outbreak, emphasizing the importance of coordination under the Africa CDC-WHO joint continental response plan. “This is an important milestone for coordinated action between our agencies to support countries by strengthening expertise, mobilizing resources, and rapidly halting the spread of mpox,” Moeti said. “By working together, we can achieve more, ensuring that communities and individuals are protected from this virus.”
The urgency is heightened by the emergence of a more dangerous but poorly understood mpox variant, clade 1b, first detected in the DRC in September 2023. Cases of this clade 1b strain have since been reported in several countries, including Sweden and Thailand, indicating the potential for wider international spread.
On Wednesday, Guinea confirmed its first mpox case, and Kaseya noted that genetic sequencing tests are underway to determine if the clade 1b variant has spread to West Africa.
In response to the escalating situation, the DRC received its first batch of 99,100 mpox vaccine doses on Thursday. The country is currently developing a distribution and vaccination strategy, particularly targeting the eastern regions where most cases have been reported amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis. However, health authorities have not yet announced when vaccinations will begin.
The rising mpox cases and the emergence of the clade 1b variant underscore the importance of global vigilance and cooperation. With cases identified in Thailand, the Asian region is also urged to remain alert and strengthen its preparedness and response measures.
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Africa CDC warns of rising mpox cases, launches response plan with WHO
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