The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday that nearly 30,000 suspected cases of mpox have emerged in Africa this year, with the majority concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The situation is dire, as testing supplies in the DRC have reportedly run out, complicating efforts to monitor the outbreak.
Since the beginning of the year, over 800 suspected deaths linked to mpox have been recorded across the continent. The WHO highlighted that neighboring Burundi is also experiencing a growing outbreak. The illness, which spreads through close contact, is generally mild but can be fatal in rare instances, presenting flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.
Comparative figures from previous years were not provided in the WHO’s report. However, the African Union’s public health agency noted that 14,957 cases and 739 deaths were reported from seven affected states in 2023, marking a 78.5% increase in new cases compared to 2022.
From January to September 15 this year, the WHO documented 29,342 suspected cases and 812 deaths attributed to mpox across Africa. In August alone, there were 2,082 confirmed cases reported worldwide, the highest monthly total since November 2022.
In response to the outbreak, the World Bank’s pandemic fund announced on Saturday that it would allocate $128.89 million to support ten African countries in combating the spread of mpox. The funding aims to bolster healthcare responses and improve testing and treatment capabilities in affected regions.
