Mpox cases rise in handful of Africa's outbreak countries
July 10, 2025
As mpox cases decline in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Africa CDC warns of new surges in Burundi, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, and Guinea. With 23 countries reporting outbreaks this year and 18 still active, the epidemic remains highly dynamic. Increases in Uganda and Burundi signal waning public vigilance, while Ghana and Kenya are facing rapid spread and wider community transmission. Vaccine shortages remain a critical barrier to containment beyond Sierra Leone, which has vaccinated over 120,000 people. The continent’s patchwork of responses underscores the urgent need for sustained surveillance, community engagement, and equitable vaccine access.
While the mpox situation is improving in parts of Africa—particularly Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)—new surges in multiple countries suggest the outbreak remains far from over. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), 23 African nations have reported mpox outbreaks in 2025, with 18 currently experiencing active transmission. Though cases in the DRC and Sierra Leone are falling due to strong community surveillance and vaccination, the burden is now shifting to other regions.
Burundi and Uganda are facing marked resurgences. In Burundi, initial control success has given way to complacency, allowing the virus to regain ground. In Uganda, cases rose 60% last week, with Kampala, Wakiso, and Masaka City seeing significant spikes, partially driven by expanded surveillance. Ghana, meanwhile, has seen a doubling of confirmed cases, with over half concentrated in the Western Region, and Kenya has logged its highest weekly case count since its outbreak began last year. In Kenya, the virus is now spreading beyond the initial northern transport corridor, signaling wider community transmission.
Liberia and Guinea are also seeing significant growth. Liberia’s test positivity surged from 37% to 79% over two weeks, with most cases in Montserrado. Guinea’s cases have risen for four consecutive weeks, with Conakry and Kindia bearing the brunt.
The continent continues to struggle with vaccine shortages, limiting preventive strategies in countries experiencing rapid spread. More than 120,000 people have been vaccinated in Sierra Leone, but supply constraints hinder efforts elsewhere. As co-infections with other diseases like measles complicate diagnoses, the need for coordinated surveillance, risk communication, and resource mobilization is critical. Africa’s ongoing battle with mpox highlights the urgent need for sustained investment in outbreak response infrastructure and equitable vaccine distribution.