The Africa CDC says controlling the spread of Mpox will require immediate action on the continent as the risk of spread between neighbouring countries and globally is high.
Cross-border movement, low public understanding of Mpox transmission and insufficient response capacity are the main challenges among African countries that make the spread likely, according to the public health agency.
In an article published on its website, Africa CDC highlighted vaccine shortages as a serious threat to countries' containment efforts.
The agency also noted that many African countries are highly vulnerable to Mpox infection due to widespread malnutrition and HIV prevalence. “The outbreak is further complicated by a high case fatality rate of over 3.9 percent, particularly among children under 15 years of age, who account for 60 percent of cases,” the agency said.
The agency said the research revealed that heterosexual sexual activities, particularly among sex workers in Congo, are a major driver of Mpox transmission.
This is in contrast to what is seen in Europe, where the spread occurred mainly among men who had sex with men. “The high prevalence among women raises concerns about the risks of vertical transmission and adverse pregnancy outcomes. “The high risk of severe infection among people living with HIV, considerations about asymptomatic infections, poor vaccination strategies, limited access to medical countermeasures and low detection rates were other concerns,” the agency said.
Rapid spread
On August 13, the Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) in Africa. The agency said it acted in accordance with its mandate to address significant threats to public health. “This mandate was established in July 2022 by the Executive Council of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) through its decision.”
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He said the worsening mpox situation on the continent prompted the decision.
Between 2022 and today, some 40,874 cases and 1,512 deaths have been reported in 15 African Union member states.
In 2024 alone, 17,541 cases and 517 deaths were reported across 13 AU Member States, indicating a 160% increase in cases and 19% increase in deaths in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
In 2023, there was a 79 percent increase in cases compared to 2022.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) accounts for 96 percent of all cases and 97 percent of all reported deaths in 2024.
Mpox vaccine production in Africa
In addition, the public health agency is currently in talks with Bavarian Nordic, the world's only producer of an mpox vaccine, on technology transfer to enable African manufacturers to produce the vaccine locally.
Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya said on Tuesday the goal is to have 10 million doses available by the end of 2025.
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He described this as a long-term solution to the Mpox outbreak affecting African countries in West and Central Africa. “More immediately, the continent is looking forward to donations from wealthier countries during this emergency humanitarian era,” he said.
He noted that the European Union is helping to procure 215,000 MPOX vaccines.
He also called on the international community not to impose travel bans on countries facing an MPOX outbreak, but to support the continent in testing and vaccination. “Do not punish Africa. We hear from here and there that they want to apply travel bans… We need solidarity, we need to be given the right support, this vaccine is expensive,” he said.