Africa has recorded almost 30,000 suspected mpox cases so far in 2024, with the Democratic Republic of Congo hit hardest, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The continent has also seen over 800 suspected mpox-related deaths.
Congo is facing a shortage of testing kits, while neighboring Burundi is experiencing a growing outbreak. Mpox, typically mild but occasionally fatal, spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions.
Compared to 2022, cases have surged, with the African Union reporting a 78.5% increase last year. WHO data shows 29,342 suspected cases and 812 deaths from January to mid-September 2024.
In August, 2,082 confirmed cases were reported globally, the highest since November 2022. To combat the outbreak, the World Bank’s pandemic fund has allocated $128.89 million to assist ten African nations.