A sharp increase in Mpox infections is testing Africa’s already pressured health infrastructure. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) indicated that the disease has now been reported in 19 member states of the African Union this year, with case numbers climbing to levels not seen before.
“This is not a crisis we can consider under control,” said Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “We must act boldly, leveraging this moment not just to contain Mpox but to strengthen our health systems for the future.”
From the start of the year, the continent has logged 53,903 suspected Mpox infections, of which 11,147 have been laboratory-confirmed. The death toll stands at a minimum of 1,109, resulting in a case-fatality ratio of roughly 9.9%. Compared with the previous year, confirmed cases have risen by 569%, and children younger than 15 years account for more than one-third of all infections.
The Mpox Outbreak in Africa
Cross-border spread and new clusters among vulnerable populations, including sex workers, have driven the surge. Over the last six weeks the continent has recorded an average of 523 new infections each week, with some areas seeing rapid acceleration. Uganda, for example, experienced a dramatic 1,214% increase in reported cases in the most recent week compared with the week before.
Although the most recent epidemiological week showed a temporary pause in reported fatalities, the overall trend remains worrisome. Health authorities anticipate that case numbers will continue to climb before they begin to level off early in the coming year.
Challenges in Vaccination and Testing
Logistical obstacles have hampered the continent’s Mpox response. Nations such as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have met or surpassed their immunisation objectives, whereas other countries, notably Nigeria, have encountered setbacks. A national vaccination campaign that was initially slated for 29 October in Nigeria has now been rescheduled for 18 November.
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In the midst of these difficulties, Morocco has produced Africa’s first home-grown Mpox PCR assay, which has received endorsement from Africa CDC and AUDA-NEPAD. Officials are calling for broader testing that concentrates on high-risk groups, while the Mpox Testing Strategy advocates for stronger diagnostic capacity and standardized sample-collection procedures.
Building Resilience in Africa’s Health Systems
Public-health specialists view the current outbreak as a catalyst to address deep-seated systemic gaps. Africa CDC has outlined an ambitious agenda that includes decentralising laboratory services, upgrading digital surveillance tools for primary care, and expanding local production of diagnostics and vaccines.
“This moment demands transformative action,” said Dr. Kaseya. “We can’t afford to simply react. We must rebuild stronger health systems that will safeguard Africa’s future.”
Africa CDC reported close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to coordinate vaccine deliveries and provide technical assistance.
To date, a total of 5.6 million Mpox vaccine doses—comprising both MVA-BN and LC16 formulations—have been earmarked for distribution across the continent.
Health officials are urging nations to give priority to high-risk populations in their testing plans, while also calling for upgraded diagnostic infrastructure and clear guidelines for specimen handling. Such measures aim to facilitate early detection and swift containment of new clusters.
