The African continent has experienced a staggering 545% rise in mpox cases in 2024 compared to last year, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The data, released Thursday, reveals an alarming increase in the viral disease’s spread.
This year alone, 50,840 suspected cases and 1,083 deaths have been reported across 19 African countries, with the Central African region bearing the brunt. This region accounts for 85.8% of total cases and an overwhelming 99.4% of fatalities.
Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, expressed frustration over the limited financial support received for Africa’s mpox response. Despite pledges of over $1 billion, Kaseya reported that actual disbursements remain under 20% of promised aid.
To curb the outbreak, Africa CDC has allocated 899,000 vaccine doses to nine high-burden countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, which will receive 85% of the doses as the most affected nation. This allocation aims to support a coordinated response in containing the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared mpox a global public health emergency last August after a new variant spread from Congo to neighboring countries. Formerly known as monkeypox, mpox was renamed by WHO in 2022 to reduce stigma associated with the disease.
Mpox is a zoonotic virus transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or animals and can cause flu-like symptoms, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. Africa CDC warns that, with cases soaring, urgent global cooperation is needed to prevent further devastation.
