Africa has ended its regional public health emergency over mpox, though the disease remains endemic in some areas.
Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, announced the shift on Saturday.
The move follows the WHO’s September decision that mpox is no longer a global health emergency.
WHO first declared the disease a global emergency in August 2024, after outbreaks hit mainly the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kaseya credited better detection, treatment, and the rollout of over five million vaccines across 16 countries for reducing infections.
Confirmed cases dropped 60 percent in 2025, and deaths fell from 2.6 percent to 0.6 percent.
“Lifting emergency status does not mean mpox is gone,” Kaseya said. “Continued vigilance and investment are essential to prevent resurgence.”
The announcement marks a transition from emergency measures to long-term, country-led strategies aimed at eventual elimination.
WHO data shows Africa accounted for 78 percent of global mpox cases, with the DRC, Guinea, and Madagascar hardest hit.
Officials caution that outbreaks may still occur, requiring ongoing surveillance, vaccination, and preparedness at national and regional levels.