Massive Mpox Surge Causes 42,438 Cases Across Africa

Africa has registered 42,438 Mpox cases across 18 countries in 2024 so far, as the latest weekly report from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) counted 3,051 new infections just in the last week, Anadolu Agency reported on Thursday. The death toll from Mpox has now reached 1,100, with 50 new fatalities in the past week.
Jean Kaseya, the Director-General of Africa CDC, confirmed an alarming 380% increase in Mpox cases over last year, raising concerns about whether countries on the continent can control the virus amid widespread healthcare challenges.
Central Africa remains the epicenter of infections, accounting for 86.4% of all reported cases. New outbreaks have been emerging in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) renamed monkeypox, a zoonotic viral illness, to Mpox in 2022 to minimize stigma. The virus is transmitted through personal contact with an infected person or animal, or through contaminated items.
Common symptoms include skin rashes or lesions, fever, muscle aches, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes. While many cases are mild, the virus can cause severe complications or death, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or areas with poor healthcare access.
The rapid rise in infections has strained public health systems across affected regions, where shortages of vaccines and limited medical infrastructure hinder effective containment.
The Africa CDC has called for increased international support and a coordinated effort to secure vaccines and improve healthcare capacity.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Kaseya said, “This unprecedented rise in cases requires a collective response to prevent further loss of life and to bring the virus under control.”