Bangui, Central African Republic – A surge in mpox cases has gripped Africa, with health officials sounding the alarm over the escalating crisis. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported a staggering 160% increase in cases compared to the same period last year, highlighting the continent’s vulnerability to the disease.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for over 96% of all cases and deaths. Alarmingly, children under 15 years old constitute nearly 70% of cases in the DRC, with a mortality rate of 85% within this age group.
With over 14,250 cases recorded this year, the outbreak has spread to 10 African nations. Burundi and Rwanda have recently joined the list of affected countries, while Kenya and the Central African Republic have declared new outbreaks. The latter’s capital, Bangui, is grappling with a rapid spread of the virus.
“We are deeply concerned about the rampant spread of monkeypox in the capital region,” expressed Pierre Somsé, the Central African Republic’s public health minister.
The mpox death rate in Africa is significantly higher than the global average, with approximately 3% of infected individuals succumbing to the disease. This stark contrast underscores the continent’s limited resources to combat the outbreak.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, scientists have identified a new, more virulent form of mpox in Congo, capable of killing up to 10% of infected individuals. Unlike previous strains, this variant presents milder symptoms and genital lesions, making detection more challenging.
The lack of effective treatments and vaccines in Africa has compounded the crisis. Medical aid organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders, have described the outbreak as “worrying,” particularly in regions with high population mobility, like Congo’s North Kivu.
Despite the growing threat, international support has been scarce. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported zero funding allocated to mpox containment in Africa, despite the ongoing outbreak and the potential for global spread.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations announcing a study to evaluate the efficacy of post-exposure mpox vaccinations in Congo and other African countries.
