Vaccination, funding gaps remain challenge to fight against mpox in Africa: WHO
August 14, 2025
One year after mpox was declared a global health emergency, Africa continues to face serious challenges. The World Health Organization reports more than 174,000 suspected cases and nearly 50,000 confirmed infections across 28 countries, with 240 deaths. Although weekly cases have declined by one third and 900,000 people have received at least one vaccine dose, access remains far below need. Limited supplies, funding gaps, and stigma hinder progress, particularly in high-risk areas. Sustained community surveillance, targeted vaccination, and integration into broader health systems will be essential to prevent resurgence and to build a durable, equitable response.
Mpox remains a pressing public health challenge in Africa, despite progress made since the World Health Organization declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern one year ago. The latest data reveal more than 174,000 suspected cases, nearly 50,000 confirmed infections, and 240 deaths across 28 countries. Yet response measures have yielded measurable gains: weekly cases have dropped by more than one third in recent weeks, Côte d’Ivoire has contained its outbreak after 42 days without new infections, and Angola, Gabon, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe have reported over 90 days without confirmed cases.
Still, serious obstacles remain. Patrick Otim, program manager for emergency response at WHO Africa, highlights vaccine shortages, limited funding, inadequate care, competing emergencies, and persistent stigma as barriers to containment. Over three million vaccine doses have been delivered, but fewer than one million people have received full protection, and only eight of the 22 countries with active transmission are vaccinating high-risk groups. Without sufficient investment in vaccine procurement and equitable deployment, the risk of resurgence is high.
The path forward requires sustaining the gains made while addressing gaps that weaken the response. WHO and Africa CDC emphasize the need to expand community-based surveillance, ensure timely distribution of essential supplies, and integrate mpox strategies into existing health programs for long-term sustainability. These measures, combined with targeted vaccination and ongoing advocacy for international funding, will be vital.
The trajectory of mpox in Africa underscores a broader truth: emerging infectious diseases demand both immediate containment and enduring systems of preparedness. Recent successes prove that progress is possible, but only sustained attention will prevent mpox from entrenching itself. Global solidarity and national commitment remain indispensable in transforming fragile improvements into lasting public health security.