Ethiopia has reported two cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in Amhara region where health services have been interrupted due to ongoing conflict.
The confirmed cases were detected in Metema town, located in West Gondar Zone, and in the regional capital, Bahir Dar, according to the Amhara Public Health Institute (APHI). Both patients have since made a full recovery, authorities said Friday in a statement.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health reported the country’s first confirmed mpox case on June 3, 2025, in Moyale town, Oromia Region.
Since then, 102 samples have been tested, with 18 confirmed infections and one death — a one-month-old infant.
The confirmed cases were detected in Metema town, located in West Gondar Zone, and in the regional capital, Bahir Dar, according to APHI officials. Both patients have since made a full recovery, authorities said.
Laboratory confirmation was provided by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), following sample testing from suspected cases in the region. Direct contacts of the two confirmed individuals were identified, tested, and placed under monitoring protocols.
Globally, mpox remains a public health concern. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 91,000 confirmed cases have been reported across 117 countries since early 2022.
While the majority of cases have been recorded in non-endemic countries, African nations continue to experience outbreaks, often with limited access to vaccines and treatment options.
MG/as/APA