Monkeypox epidemic is complicated in Africa

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on September 13 called for further strengthening of monkeypox (mpox) detection and surveillance measures, as the total number of confirmed and suspected cases in Africa this year has risen to 26,543, including 724 deaths.

Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said that in the past week alone, the continent recorded a total of 3,160 new cases, including 434 confirmed cases and 107 deaths.

Mr. Kaseya noted that the number of mpox cases has been on an upward trend since May, but the statistics have only recently increased mainly due to the improving detection capacity of African Union (AU) members.

Data from the AU health agency shows that reported cases come from 15 countries across all five regions of the continent, with a fatality rate of 2.73%. Of these, children under 15 years old account for 41% and men account for 63% of all confirmed cases.

According to the latest report from the Africa CDC, so far, the East and North African regions have not recorded any deaths related to mpox.

In North Africa alone, Morocco has been the first country to report cases this year. Central Africa is the worst affected region with 23,761 cases, while East Africa has reported 1,644 cases.

The rapid spread of mpox since May has been mainly in countries neighboring the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In mid-August, the Africa CDC declared the current mpox outbreak in Africa a Continental Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHECS).

Shortly thereafter, the World Health Organization (WHO) also declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for monkeypox, activating the highest global alert level for mpox for the second time in two years.

Also on September 13, the Africa CDC announced the launch of a joint continental response plan with WHO.