Africa CDC

Mpox Cases Rising Across Africa: Africa CDC Calls for Coordinated Response

Health Education and Awareness
August 27, 2024

As the spread of Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) continues to accelerate across the African continent, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued an urgent call for coordinated efforts among African health ministers to tackle the rising cases and improve testing methods.

In a letter dated 23rd August 2024, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya highlighted the alarming increase in Mpox cases, with reports nearly tripling in a short period. Unlike the situation in 2022, when Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the current outbreak is spreading rapidly, with a case fatality rate of around 3%, particularly concerning due to its links to HIV.

Current Epidemiological Situation

Between 1st January and 23rd August 2024, 21,466 Mpox cases were reported across 13 African Union member states. Out of these, 3,350 were confirmed cases, while 18,116 were suspected. Tragically, the outbreak has resulted in 591 deaths, leading to a case fatality rate of 2.9%. Affected countries include Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. Gabon recently confirmed its first case, while Sierra Leone and Malawi have begun testing suspected cases.

Challenges in Laboratory Testing

Africa CDC has advised that laboratory tests alone cannot be relied upon for Mpox diagnosis. Director-General Kaseya emphasized the importance of integrating laboratory testing with clinical assessment and epidemiological data to accurately diagnose and manage Mpox cases. False negatives are possible, and a negative test does not entirely rule out Mpox, especially in the presence of strong clinical suspicion.

Call to Action

Africa CDC is urging African countries to adopt a comprehensive approach to Mpox diagnosis and management, combining clinical observations, epidemiological data, and laboratory tests. Countries are also encouraged to conduct HIV and STI tests for all Mpox cases and to remain vigilant in monitoring symptoms and test results. As the continent grapples with this public health challenge, coordinated efforts and improved testing methods will be crucial in controlling the spread of Mpox and protecting public health across Africa.