MPOX TRACKER

Mpox cases in Africa show no signs of abating, with 3,095 new infections reported this past week, primarily from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which logged 2,632 cases and 29 deaths. Since January, the continent has recorded nearly 70,000 cases across 20 countries. While most affected nations remain in the controlled stage, Guinea has re-entered active transmission, joining countries still battling the outbreak.

To combat the ongoing crisis, Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a continental review with health officials from nine affected countries and seven response partners. This high-level gathering identified eight critical priorities, including boosting vaccination efforts, enhancing data management, and increasing surge staffing. An integrated approach focusing on community engagement and addressing coinfections such as measles was also emphasized.

A potential breakthrough comes with Japan’s donation of 50,000 LC16 vaccine doses, with up to 3 million doses expected by February. This vaccine, suitable for children as young as 1 year old, addresses a critical immunization gap. Japanese experts are training healthcare workers in its specialized administration using bifurcated needles, ensuring proper rollout in the coming months.

Africa’s battle against mpox demonstrates the complexity of managing a large-scale outbreak across multiple countries with varying healthcare capacities. The international community’s continued support, combined with enhanced local coordination, is crucial to controlling the epidemic and mitigating its far-reaching impact.