WHO Reports 14,700 Confirmed Mpox Cases in Africa in 2024

Kampala: From January 2024 to January 5, 2025, approximately 14,700 confirmed cases of mpox, including 66 deaths, were reported across 20 African countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These confirmed cases represent only a fraction of the suspected cases, as limited diagnostic capacity in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) leaves many untested, the WHO stated.

The ongoing outbreak is driven by multiple clades of the mpox virus, particularly the Clade Ib variant. This variant is predominantly circulating in the DRC and neighboring countries and has also been linked to travel-related cases detected outside Africa. Imported cases caused by Clade Ib and subsequent secondary transmission have been reported, primarily among adults who traveled during their incubation periods or with early symptoms. Diagnoses in these cases were typically confirmed upon arrival in other countries.

The Clade Ib variant, first identified in South Kivu, DRC, emerged around mid-September 2023, as reported by the WHO. This new strain underscores the challenges in surveillance and timely reporting, as limited resources and restricted access to diagnostic testing hinder effective detection and tracking of the disease.

The WHO emphasized the need for member states to enhance mpox surveillance systems to improve case identification and reporting. In mid-August 2024, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of continental security. Soon after, the WHO renewed its declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, marking the second time in two years it has activated its highest alert level for the disease.

Mpox, also referred to as monkeypox, is a rare viral illness first identified in monkeys in 1958. It spreads through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials, causing symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The ongoing outbreak highlights the urgent need for strengthened diagnostic capacities and coordinated global efforts to curb the spread of the disease.