The number of mpox cases in Africa is expected to continue climbing over the next month, with signs of stabilization anticipated early next year, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday. The announcement underscores the urgency of efforts to contain the viral outbreak, which has caused significant health challenges across the continent.
Mpox, a viral infection spread through close contact, typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While most cases are mild, the disease can be fatal in some instances. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency in August after a new strain began spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries.
“We are hoping that after about four weeks, with intensified response measures, we should see a plateau in the outbreak,” said Ngashi Ngongo, an official at the Africa CDC. He added that by the end of the first quarter of 2024, there could be a “bending of the curve” as the outbreak slows.
The response to the outbreak faces significant hurdles, particularly in surveillance and contact tracing. Africa CDC has deployed community health workers, epidemiologists, and infection prevention specialists to affected areas, but Ngongo emphasized the need for further investment to strengthen outbreak monitoring.
The WHO’s advisory group recently expressed concerns about the outbreak’s trajectory, emphasizing that it is too early to lift the public health emergency status. The group cited rising case numbers, the disease’s geographic spread, and operational challenges as reasons for maintaining heightened alert.
So far this year, more than 59,000 mpox cases have been reported across 20 African countries, resulting in 1,164 deaths, according to Africa CDC data. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains one of the hardest-hit areas.
The WHO and Africa CDC continue to urge governments and international partners to sustain efforts in managing the outbreak, stressing the need for cohesive strategies to curb the spread of the virus and save lives.