The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a total of 6,603 confirmed mpox cases and 32 deaths across 15 African countries in 2024. In the past week, there have been 402 confirmed cases with no reported deaths.
According to the 38th WHO, situation report on the multi-country mpox outbreak published on September 28, 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Nigeria are reporting the highest number of suspected cases.
The DRC remains the epicenter of the outbreak in Africa, with a total of 5,621 confirmed cases and 25 deaths, along with 27,103 suspected cases and 838 deaths among those suspected cases. Following the DRC are Burundi, with 696 cases and no deaths, and Nigeria, with 78 cases and no deaths. Notably, all currently affected countries on the continent have reported new cases in the last six weeks, including Guinea, which documented its first mpox case in the past month.
The deaths in the DRC are primarily associated with clade Ib MPXV, which is driving transmission in South Kivu province. Ongoing testing challenges and delays in case confirmation are hindering efforts to control the outbreak in the DRC.
Burundi has experienced a significant rise in mpox cases, with 35 out of 49 districts affected since the outbreak began in July 2024. Approximately 30 percent of confirmed cases in Burundi involve children under five years of age.
Recent data has facilitated a more detailed analysis of the epidemiological situation at both national and subnational levels for the DRC and Burundi. In the DRC, testing challenges persist, with only 37 percent of suspected cases tested in 2024, and a positivity rate of around 55 percent among those tested.
The WHO has stressed the importance of enhancing surveillance, testing, and contact tracing to curb the spread of mpox in Africa. Additionally, the organization has proposed a research roadmap to address knowledge gaps and improve response efforts.
As of September 22, 2024, Africa has reported 31,427 suspected cases, including 844 deaths (CFR 2.7 percent), with 2,085 new cases and 32 deaths in the past week.
Similarly, a total of 106,310 confirmed mpox cases and 234 deaths have been reported across 123 countries from the beginning of the year through the end of August 2024.
