In response to a rapidly escalating Mpox outbreak across Africa, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched a comprehensive and data-driven strategy to combat the virus.

The outbreak, which has affected all five regions and 16 countries on the continent, has seen a sharp rise in cases—38,465 reported since January 2022—necessitating immediate and robust intervention.

Mpox, primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals or humans, has become a severe cross-border health threat. The virus’s spread has been exacerbated by factors such as sexual transmission, co-infections like HIV, and malnutrition.

Vulnerable populations, particularly children under 15 years old, have been disproportionately affected, accounting for 60% of reported cases. With a case fatality rate exceeding 3.2%, the urgency for effective response measures cannot be overstated.

The Africa CDC’s response has been swift and strategic. In August 2024, the African Union’s Permanent Representatives Committee approved an emergency budget of $10.4 million, earmarked for a multi-faceted Mpox response.

This funding supports several critical areas: enhancing Mpox surveillance, boosting laboratory testing and genomic sequencing capabilities, strengthening data collection and analytics, and improving case management and infection prevention. Additionally, the strategy emphasizes the importance of ensuring equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and medical supplies across the continent.

One of the most immediate actions taken by Africa CDC has been the distribution of 20,000 RT-PCR kits and other essential supplies to member states (MS), ensuring that affected countries can accurately diagnose and manage Mpox cases. The organization has also deployed technical assistance teams to conduct risk assessments in high-burden areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Mpox cases have been steadily rising. In March 2024, Africa CDC’s Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) supported the DRC in developing a national response plan, which has since been a model for other countries facing similar challenges.

However, the Africa CDC is set to declare the ongoing outbreak of monkeypox virus as a continental public health emergency, its Executive Director, Dr Jean Kaseya, said.

Dr Kaseya told journalists at a press briefing last Thursday that the declaration of a public health emergency for continental security may be made as early as this week, noting that he is consulting with the relevant authorities, including heads of state of the African Union and other stakeholders to get their blessing.

The Africa CDC boss said part of the reason for this the mutation of the virus, so that a new variant has seen a rapid spread of cross-border infections in countries neighbouring DRC, including Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.

Experts say even though the mode of transmission of Mpox has been primarily contact with infected people and animals, evidence suggests that sexual transmission is also high, linked to cross border movement.

Dr Kaseya said they are also investigating the correlation between Mpox and HIV, as many people infected with Mpox in some countries were found to have HIV. Malnutrition is also found to be associated with the disease, he said.

Dr Kaseya said that reported cases on the continent had risen by 79% from 2022-2023 and by 160% from 2023-24.

“We are seeing an increase in terms of outbreaks in Africa, we are moving from almost two outbreaks per week to three new outbreaks per week,” he said.

The Africa CDC boss said declaration of emergency is important for the agency to better coordinate cross-border responses. He added that it would also make member countries obligated to report new cases of the disease.

Mpox is one of the top five reported outbreaks on the continent, alongside Cholera, Dengue, Measles and Lassa Fever. These outbreaks contribute to 77 percent of all cases and 81.24 percent of deaths on the continent, according to Dr Kaseya.