Mpox Outbreak Spreads in Africa, WHO Reports 16 Countries Affected
As health officials work to contain the spread, the WHO emphasizes the importance of surveillance and vaccination efforts across the affected regions.
GENEVA— A multi-country outbreak of Mpox continues to spread across Africa, with 16 countries reporting cases in the past six weeks, according to the World Health Organization's latest situation report, writes Winston Mwale.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains the most affected country in 2024, with 6,169 confirmed cases and 25 deaths.
Burundi follows with 987 confirmed cases and no deaths, while Nigeria reports 94 confirmed cases without fatalities.
Zambia reported its first mpox case last week, prompting ongoing epidemiological investigations.
The viral clade responsible for the infection is yet to be determined.
Ghana, which last reported cases in 2023, confirmed its first two mpox cases of 2024. Health officials identified the strain as clade IIb monkeypox virus.
The Central African Republic and Nigeria, both considered endemic for Mpox, continue to grapple with clade I and II infections, respectively.
WHO has made its Mpox transmission protocol available in French in response to the outbreak.
On Oct. 8, the organization granted prequalification to the MVA-BN mpox vaccine for individuals aged 12-17.
As health officials work to contain the spread, the WHO emphasizes the importance of surveillance and vaccination efforts across the affected regions.
*Read the full report here.