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Malawi battles mpox as cases of the infectious disease surge in Africa

May 26, 2025

The confirmation of three new mpox cases in Lilongwe, Malawi, underscores the growing public health challenges the country faces amid donor aid cuts. With just 11 cases reported so far, Malawi joins 15 other African nations grappling with mpox while also contending with vaccine shortages, low public awareness, and strained testing capacity. The situation is further exacerbated by recent U.S. funding suspensions, which have decimated HIV programs and weakened broader healthcare infrastructure. Urgent investments in surveillance, public education, and cross-sector preparedness are essential to prevent mpox from escalating into yet another neglected health crisis.

Malawi’s recent confirmation of three new mpox cases in the capital, Lilongwe, brings the country’s total to 11 since April and signals a worrying expansion of the virus in yet another under-resourced health system. The outbreak, occurring as the country reels from widespread U.S. aid cuts—including key support for HIV programs—highlights how global funding shifts can rapidly undercut disease response capacity.

Mpox is not the only threat. Malawi’s healthcare system already suffers from long travel distances to clinics, chronic underfunding, insufficient diagnostic infrastructure, and limited medical personnel. The recent withdrawal of U.S. aid—amounting to more than $350 million annually—has caused immediate disruptions, including expired stocks of HIV prevention drugs and curtailed PrEP access. With nearly 60% of Malawi’s healthcare funded by external donors, the impact has been profound.

While clinical capacity and community-based health responses were strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic, the erosion of donor support has left the system vulnerable. As Dr. Victor Mithi of the Society of Medical Doctors warns, Malawi is “completely shaken” by the aid withdrawal, especially without a foundation of internally sustained capacities.

Compounding this challenge is low public awareness. Myths reminiscent of early COVID-19 days are circulating, and many residents remain unaware of the disease's presence or symptoms. This knowledge gap risks further transmission, particularly in densely populated households where close contact is common.

If unchecked, the combination of low vaccine availability, limited diagnostics, and public misinformation could see mpox spiral into a larger crisis. Urgent support is needed to stabilize Malawi’s health system and ensure mpox does not become another neglected epidemic. Investment in community education, reactivation of funding pipelines, and accelerated vaccine distribution must be prioritized to protect vulnerable populations and preserve gains made in broader public health.

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