Mpox: around 14,700 confirmed cases in 2024 in Africa

Between January 2024 and January 5, 2025, about 14,700 confirmed cases of Mpox, including 66 deaths, have been recorded in 20 African countries, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report released on Saturday. However, these figures represent only a fraction of suspected cases, with the WHO stressing that a significant number of cases have not been tested and remain unconfirmed, particularly in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

A subject infected with the mpox virus

The current outbreak is driven by multiple variants of the virus, including the Clade Ib variant, which is spreading primarily in the DRC and neighbouring countries. WHO has also reported imported cases linked to this variant, detected following travel, as well as secondary transmissions in other parts of the world. These cases involve adults who travelled during the incubation period or who had early symptoms, diagnosed upon arrival in their destination country.

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The Clade Ib variant, which emerged in September 2023 in South Kivu province in the DRC, has been driving these transmissions. WHO highlighted challenges in international surveillance, including resource shortages and limited access to diagnostic tests. The organization called on Member States to strengthen their efforts to improve detection and reporting of Mpox cases.

In August 2024, the WHO declared Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a public health emergency of international concern, warning of an increased spread of the disease globally. This declaration followed a similar assessment by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which deemed the Mpox outbreak on the continent a public health emergency. The African Union health agency also noted a 160% increase in new Mpox cases in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Mireille Siapje