A troubling surge of Mpox cases is sweeping across Africa, posing yet another test for the continent’s already strained health systems. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported that 19 African Union member states have been affected by the outbreak this year, with cases soaring to levels unprecedented in recent history.
“This is not a crisis we can consider under control,” said Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, in a stark briefing on Thursday. “We must act boldly, leveraging this moment not just to contain Mpox but to strengthen our health systems for the future.”
Since January, Africa has documented 53,903 suspected Mpox cases, 11,147 of which have been confirmed. At least 1,109 lives have been lost, bringing the case fatality rate to a worrying 9.9%. Compared to 2023, confirmed cases have jumped by 569%, with children under 15 making up over a third of infections.
The Epicenter of a Growing Threat
The outbreak has been fueled by cross-border transmissions and emerging clusters among high-risk groups, such as sex workers. Over the past six weeks, the continent has averaged 523 new cases weekly, with some regions experiencing exponential growth. Uganda, for instance, saw a staggering 1,214% spike in cases last week compared to the previous one.
Despite a lull in reported deaths during the most recent epidemiological week, the trajectory remains unsettling. Health officials expect cases to rise further before stabilizing early next year.
Struggling to Vaccinate and Test
Africa’s response to Mpox has been hampered by logistical challenges. While countries like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have achieved or exceeded vaccination targets, others, including Nigeria, have faced delays. A nationwide vaccination drive originally planned for October 29 in Nigeria is now set to launch on November 18.
Amid these challenges, a beacon of progress has emerged: Africa’s first domestically manufactured Mpox PCR test. Produced in Morocco, the test has been endorsed by Africa CDC and AUDA-NEPAD. Leaders are urging expanded testing to prioritize high-risk individuals, while the Mpox Testing Strategy calls for enhanced diagnostic infrastructure and clear protocols for sample collection.
Beyond Mpox: Building Resilience
For public health experts, the outbreak is not just a crisis but an opportunity to address long-standing systemic weaknesses. Africa CDC has laid out ambitious goals, including decentralizing laboratory testing, improving digital surveillance tools for primary healthcare, and bolstering local manufacturing of diagnostics and vaccines.
“This moment demands transformative action,” said Dr. Kaseya. “We can’t afford to simply react. We must rebuild stronger health systems that will safeguard Africa’s future.”
The organization also advocates using the Mpox response to tackle other pressing health challenges, such as a resurgence of measles in several countries.
A Continental Effort
Africa CDC said it has worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to coordinate vaccine distribution and technical support. In October, the two bodies hosted a vaccination workshop in Brazzaville, Congo, to help nations refine their immunization strategies. So far, 5.6 million doses of Mpox vaccine have been allocated across the continent, a combination of MVA-BN and LC16 vaccines.
As Africa continues to fight this growing outbreak, public health officials emphasize that containing Mpox will require not just immediate intervention but also a long-term commitment to systemic reform.