Mpox cases in Africa have surged by over 500% compared to last year, raising alarms among health officials. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, Chief of Staff at the Africa CDC, highlighted this alarming increase during a recent webinar briefing.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified Mpox as a global public health emergency for the second consecutive year, following the emergence of a new variant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighboring countries. Dr. Ngongo pointed out that logistical challenges have hindered Nigeria’s vaccination efforts, emphasizing that “the situation is not yet under control.” He called for urgent political and financial support to manage the outbreak and prevent Mpox from escalating into a widespread sexually transmitted pandemic.
Currently, 19 countries are affected, with Mauritius being the latest to report cases. Dr. Ngongo expressed concern over Nigeria’s postponement of its planned vaccination campaign, noting that the recent Mpox case in Mauritius was found in a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches.
Despite some countries like the DRC and Rwanda achieving 100% vaccination rates, challenges remain in accessing child-friendly vaccines. Since January 2024, confirmed Mpox cases have spiked significantly, with over 48,000 suspected cases and 1,048 deaths recorded across the affected countries. Central Africa has been hit hardest, accounting for nearly 86% of the cases.
The new Mpox strain, clade Ib, has extended beyond the DRC to other regions, including Europe, raising further concerns. “Cases are still increasing in several countries as the continent struggles to contain yet another major outbreak,” warned Dr. Ngongo. He emphasized the need for sustained political and financial mobilization to avert a crisis that could surpass the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, causes symptoms such as fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a blistering rash. The virus has two primary sub-types: clade 1 and clade 2. The latest variant, clade 1b, was recently reported in the United Kingdom and has also been detected in Sweden and Germany.
As Central Africa, particularly the DRC, remains the epicenter of this outbreak—accounting for 85.7% of cases and 99.5% of deaths—the region has initiated a vaccination campaign in response to the growing crisis.
