Over 500 People Dead, 19,000 Sick as Mpox Ravages 13 African Countries

As the Mpox virus continues to spread rapidly across Africa, health experts are raising alarms about the severity of the outbreak and the need for a coordinated global response. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have declared the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency, both on an international and continental level, in response to the escalating situation.
The Mpox outbreak, which has historically been endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has now spread to 13 African countries, with over 17,541 cases and 517 deaths reported in 2024 alone. This marks a significant 160% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The outbreak is not limited to the DRC; countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and others also report cases.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, emphasized the situation's urgency, declaring it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). "This is not just another challenge; it’s a crisis that demands our collective action," he stated. The declaration empowers Africa CDC to mobilize resources, strengthen surveillance, and enhance response efforts across the continent.
The response to the Mpox outbreak is seen as a test of global solidarity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. During COVID-19, the unequal distribution of vaccines and resources severely strained relations between richer and poorer nations. Health leaders, including Dr. Ebere Okereke from Chatham House, warn that a failure to respond robustly to the current Mpox crisis could lead to increased spread of the virus and a breakdown of trust in global health systems.
Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now, criticized the delayed response to the Mpox outbreak, noting that while the virus has been present in Africa for years, significant action was only taken when it posed a threat to the West. He called for an end to pharmaceutical profiteering and for rich countries to back measures ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
The United States has pledged to donate 50,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to the DRC, but health leaders argue that more sustainable solutions are needed. Africa CDC has entered into a partnership with the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and Bavarian Nordic to provide over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, which will be distributed across affected African countries.
Despite these efforts, the Mpox outbreak in Africa faces significant challenges. Limited surveillance, diagnostic capabilities, and vaccine shortages hinder effective response efforts. Cross-border transmission and the potential link between Mpox and HIV further complicate the situation.
Dr. Kaseya and other health leaders are calling on the international community to provide robust support in funding, research, and technology sharing. The Africa CDC has set up a 25-member Incident Management Team to coordinate response efforts and ensure the equitable distribution of resources across the continent.
African Union (AU) Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, President Cyril Ramaphosa, urged AU Member States to increase domestic resource allocation and lead their national Mpox responses. He also called for the rapid operationalization of the African Epidemic Fund to support the outbreak response.
The Mpox outbreak in Africa is more than just a health crisis; it is a litmus test for the effectiveness of global health systems in the post-COVID-19 era. Health leaders are urging the international community to finalize a fair and equitable Pandemic Agreement to ensure that all nations, regardless of economic status, have access to the resources needed to protect their populations.
As the situation continues to evolve, the world watches closely to see whether the lessons of past pandemics will translate into effective and equitable action-or if history will repeat itself, with devastating consequences for Africa and beyond.
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