Africa’s leading health authority has declared mpox, a highly infectious disease previously known as monkeypox, a “public health emergency of continental security” in response to a widespread outbreak that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has since spread to neighboring countries.
The African Union’s health watchdog, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), issued the declaration on Tuesday, acknowledging the severity of the outbreak that has rapidly expanded across the continent.
Speaking during an online media briefing, Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, expressed deep concern over the situation. “With a heavy heart but an unyielding commitment to our African citizens, we declare mpox as a public health emergency of continental security,” Kaseya stated. “Mpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across our continent. Families have been torn apart, and the pain and suffering have touched every corner of Africa.”
The Africa CDC’s warning comes amid alarming statistics, with over 15,000 reported cases of mpox and 461 deaths across the continent so far this year—a staggering 160% increase compared to the same period last year.
“This declaration is not merely a formality; it is a clarion call to action,” Kaseya emphasized. “We can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat.”
Mpox, transmitted through close contact, typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While most cases are mild, the disease can be fatal. The current outbreak in Congo began with an endemic strain known as Clade I. However, a new variant, Clade Ib, has emerged, spreading more easily through routine close contact, particularly among children.
Mpox has been endemic in parts of Africa since it was first detected in humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970. A milder version of the virus spread to over 100 countries in 2022, largely through sexual contact, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency of international concern—the highest level of alert. WHO ended the emergency 10 months later, stating that the crisis had been brought under control.
According to Africa CDC data as of August 4, there have been 38,465 cases of mpox and 1,456 deaths in Africa since January 2022.