Unprecedented Surge: Africa Faces Critical Mpox Outbreak with 69,000 Cases in 2024

Sunday 22 December 2024 - 08:45

By: Dakir Madiha

Unprecedented Surge: Africa Faces Critical Mpox Outbreak with 69,000 Cases in 2024

The African continent is experiencing a severe public health challenge as Mpox cases reach alarming levels in 2024, with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reporting over 69,000 cases and 1,260 fatalities.

In a recent online briefing, Africa CDC's Chief of Staff and Head of the Executive Office, Ngashi Ngongo, revealed that out of the total 69,211 cases, 14,794 were laboratory-confirmed. The situation has intensified significantly, with 3,095 new cases reported in just the past week, including 553 confirmed cases and 31 deaths.

The scale of the outbreak becomes particularly evident when comparing year-over-year data, showing a striking 789% increase in confirmed cases from 2023 to 2024. Currently, fifteen African nations are grappling with active transmission of the virus.

To address this growing crisis, the Africa CDC has established eight strategic priorities. These include resource mobilization, targeted support for heavily impacted countries, improved data management systems, expanded vaccination initiatives, and the implementation of an integrated response framework. Special attention is being paid to managing co-infections.

The severity of the situation prompted the Africa CDC to declare Mpox a continental public health emergency in mid-August. This was followed by the World Health Organization (WHO) escalating it to an international emergency status—marking the second such designation in two years.

First discovered in laboratory monkeys in 1958, Mpox manifests through symptoms including fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus transmits through multiple pathways, including body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contact with contaminated materials.