Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 14,700 confirmed mpox cases, including 66 deaths, were recorded in 20 African countries between January 2024 and January 5, 2025.
The figures represent only a fraction of suspected cases, as many remain untested due to limited diagnostic resources, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The ongoing outbreak is being fueled by multiple variants, including the Clade Ib strain predominantly spreading in the DRC and neighboring nations. 
Travel-related cases involving this variant have been detected outside Africa, with diagnoses made upon arrival in other countries. These cases underline the challenges posed by varying surveillance capabilities and inconsistent reporting practices.
Related Read; Uganda Launches Ebola Vaccine Trial Amid New Outbreak
A new variant of the virus, first identified in South Kivu in the DRC around mid-September 2023, is contributing to the outbreak.
Limited resources for testing and reporting have exacerbated delays in detection and underreporting, the WHO cautioned, urging African member states to strengthen mpox surveillance efforts to enhance case detection.
In August 2024, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared mpox a public health emergency of continental security. The WHO subsequently issued a public health emergency of international concern, marking the second such declaration in two years.
First identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958, mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare viral disease transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials. Symptoms typically include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
Read More:
