Africa has reported 19,544 mpox cases since the start of 2025 as over 191 deaths were witnessed in the same period, the continent’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) revealed over the weekend.
During an online media briefing on Thursday evening, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said that conflict and “massive displacement” in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), epicenter of the infectious disease, contributes to the increasing number of cases in the continent.
Kaseya said during last week alone, 12 African countries have reported 2,838 new cases, including 606 confirmed ones and 38 new related deaths.
Meanwhile, he expressed concerns over the challenges in the eastern DRC, where fighting escalated between the DRC army and March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.
According to data from the Africa CDC, the DRC has recorded 2,246 mpox cases in the past week.
Data from the African Union’s specialised healthcare agency showed that out of the 22 affected African countries, 13 of them are currently experiencing active transmission of the virus, while nine are in the controlled phase.
The Africa CDC chief said that the conflict has disrupted laboratory services, hindering mpox testing and reporting in the conflict-affected provinces, while at least 400 active patients have fled treatment centers in the conflict-stricken areas,
He further warned about the negative impact of the “conflict and massive displacement” in terms of spreading the virus among DRC communities and beyond.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a rare viral disease typically transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and other contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
Last year, the World Health Organisation designated mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.
MG/as/APA