Key Points
- Mpox cases exceed 50,000 in 2024, 1,083 deaths recorded.
- Central Africa hardest hit, accounting for 85.8% of cases.
- Comorbidity with HIV heightens mpox mortality risks.
Africa’s mpox outbreak has entered an acute phase, with more than 50,000 cases recorded so far this year, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
“The continent has documented 50,840 cases in 19 countries, of which 10,741 are confirmed, with 1,083 deaths,” Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said during a virtual media briefing on Thursday.
Mpox cases surge; Central Africa hardest hit
Mpox cases have spiked by over 545 percent compared to last year, with Central Africa bearing the brunt of the outbreak.
The region accounts for 85.8 percent of total cases and nearly all reported deaths, according to the Africa CDC. Last week alone saw a sharp rise, with 2,532 new cases—including 345 confirmed cases—and 32 new fatalities.
“We are still in the acute phase of the outbreak, which demands intensified efforts to control the spread of mpox in Africa,” Kaseya emphasized, as reported by Xinhua.
Worst-hit countries and regional spread
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi are experiencing the highest transmission rates, accounting for 86.7 percent of confirmed new cases last week.
Uganda has also recorded a concerning increase, with weekly growth in confirmed cases, Kaseya said, highlighting active transmission in 14 African countries.
Four nations—Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea, and South Africa—have reported no new cases over the past six weeks, though the risk of cross-border transmission remains high, underscoring the need for vigilant monitoring.
Comorbidities heighten mortality
Kaseya noted that comorbidities, particularly with HIV, have significantly impacted mpox mortality rates, with deaths in Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa linked to unmanaged or newly diagnosed HIV cases. “This comorbidity factor highlights the need for dual testing for mpox and HIV to prevent fatalities,” he said.
The outbreak prompted the Africa CDC to declare mpox a public health emergency of continental security in August, followed by the World Health Organization’s declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, was first identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958 and is transmitted through bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials. It commonly presents symptoms such as fever, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. The Africa CDC’s urgent response aims to stem this outbreak and mitigate further spread across the continent.
