Africa Updates Mpox Response Plan as Outbreak Spreads to New Areas
The Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) have updated their joint Continental Mpox Response Planto better control the growing spread of the disease across the continent. The new strategy strengthens outbreak control, increases vaccination coverage, and pushes for a more sustainable, long-term approach to managing mpox.
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads mainly through close contact between people. It causes painful skin rashes and sores, often with fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, back pain, and fatigue. While not always deadly, the disease can be painful, debilitating, and disfiguring.
Historically, mpox was spread from animals to humans, but human-to-human transmission has increased over the years. A new variant, clade IIb, spread globally in 2022, mainly through sexual contact. In late 2023, another variant, clade Ib, began circulating through close personal and household contact, leading to a public health emergency declaration by Africa CDC and a global alert by WHO in August 2024.
How Far Has Mpox Spread?
By mid-2024, the outbreak spread from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to neighboring countries. As of now, 28 countries globally have reported cases linked to clade Ib. In Africa, local transmission is now confirmed in:
- Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
- Republic of the Congo, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia
Outside Africa, most cases are still travel-related.
What’s Being Done?
The updated plan from Africa CDC and WHO focuses on ten key areas:
- Coordination
- Risk communication and community engagement
- Surveillance
- Laboratory testing
- Clinical care
- Infection prevention and control
- Vaccination
- Research
- Logistics
- Continuity of essential health services
So far, over 650,000 vaccine doses have been administered in six countries—90% of them in the DRC. A total of 1 million doses have been delivered to 10 countries, and more vaccines are being secured.
Testing capacity has also improved in the DRC, expanding from just 2 labs in 2023 to 23 labs across 12 provinces. New near-point-of-care tests are being introduced to reach even more areas quickly.
Challenges Ahead
Despite progress, major challenges remain. Ongoing conflict and insecurity in eastern DRC—where mpox cases are highest—are limiting the response. Humanitarian aid cuts are also affecting access to care. An estimated $220 million is still needed to close funding gaps across affected countries.
Next Steps
The new Continental Plan emphasizes stronger efforts to stop outbreaks and begin integrating mpox care into everyday health services. WHO has also updated its global strategy, which is closely aligned with the African plan.
As of early 2025, 60 countries have reported mpox cases, with Africa accounting for most of the infections and deaths. The Africa CDC and WHO continue to partner with national governments, communities, and other health actors to control the spread, support recovery, and strengthen future health security.
