While promising signs indicate a potential downturn in mpox cases across Africa,health officials remain vigilant.The World Health organization (WHO) and Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (africa CDC) have updated their joint response plan, acknowledging both progress and persistent challenges.

despite observed declines,Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya,MD,MPH,cautioned at a recent briefing that mpox is still spreading in Africa. This underscores the need for continued and intensified efforts to combat the disease.

strategic Pillars of the Updated Response

The revised strategy emphasizes several key areas:

• Health System Integration: Incorporating mpox response into routine healthcare services to ensure sustainability.
• Targeted Vaccination: Focusing vaccination efforts on high-risk populations and outbreak hotspots.
• Cross-border Collaboration: Strengthening cooperation between countries to prevent and control the spread of mpox across borders.
• Enhanced Community-Based Surveillance: Improving monitoring and detection of cases at the community level.

DRC: The Epicenter and Response Efforts

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains the epicenter of the mpox outbreak in Africa. Following the declaration of public health emergencies by the Africa CDC and WHO in August 2024, regional and global support for the DRC has increased.

The WHO reported that a 10-pillar response plan has guided efforts, leading to increased diagnostic testing in the DRC. However, important challenges persist, including conflict and insecurity in the eastern DRC and cuts in humanitarian aid. The WHO estimates that $220 million is needed to bridge critical funding gaps.

Regional Trends: Declines and Increases

Kaseya noted a meaningful decline in cases across the region,particularly in Burundi and the DRC. However, Uganda is experiencing a surge, accounting for 51% of Africa’s cases last week, with approximately 280 new cases per week. Kampala district is particularly affected, representing nearly 47% of Uganda’s cases.

In response, Uganda is conducting a second round of vaccination, targeting sex networks, long-distance drivers, and people engaged in fishing across five districts.

Success Story: Infection Control in the DRC

There has been a notable success in the DRC, where enhanced infection prevention and control measures have reduced mpox infections in healthcare workers by 50% since November 2024. this highlights the effectiveness of targeted interventions in protecting frontline health personnel.

Emergency Committee Meeting

kaseya announced that he will convene Africa CDC’s mpox emergency committee on May 17 to review the latest data and assess whether the outbreak still warrants a public health emergency of continental security.

Impact of Tecovirimat: New Study Findings

Recent research indicates that the antiviral drug tecovirimat (Tpoxx) has not been shown to effectively speed healing in patients with clade 1 mpox infections. This finding has implications for treatment strategies and underscores the need for continued research into effective therapies.

Global Spread: Imported Cases

The global spread of mpox continues to be monitored. China reported its first clade 1a mpox case on April 4, involving a person who had traveled to the DRC. Switzerland also reported its first clade 1b case, involving an adult male who had recently traveled to Uganda.

The United Kingdom reported its first clade 1b case a few weeks prior, in a person without a travel history outside the country, indicating potential community transmission.

Multiple Health Threats in Africa

Several African countries are simultaneously battling multiple health threats. Uganda, for example, is managing an anthrax outbreak that began in January, with 16 cases reported across six districts.Sembabule district is the moast affected, but no deaths have been reported.

The DRC health ministry declared an anthrax outbreak in hippopotamuses in Virunga National Park in North kivu province, with animal deaths also reported in neighboring South Sudan and Uganda. the park’s last anthrax outbreak occured in May 2021.

Angola is experiencing a cholera outbreak, with cases rising 11.5% last week, bringing the total to 12,368 cases and 473 deaths. In Uganda, if no new Ebola cases are reported, the outbreak will be declared over in 11 days, marking two incubation periods as the last patient was discharged.