Mpox Epidemic: Nigeria Records High Cases, 38,000 Global Infections & 979 Deaths

38,000 Mpox Cases, 979 Deaths; Nigeria Affected

“With the increase in the number of cases, mpox is still a major public health issue in Africa..."

Mpox Outbreak: WHO Declares Global Health Emergency | 38,300 Cases, 979 Deaths in Africa | Learn About Symptoms, Transmission & Affected Countries

The Mpox outbreak in Africa continues to worsen, with the death toll now standing at 979, according to the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Director-General Jean Kaseya revealed these alarming figures on Thursday night, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to combat the crisis.

Since the start of 2024, Africa has seen 38,300 mpox cases, with 7,339 confirmed cases. The situation is escalating rapidly, with 3,186 new cases reported in just the past week, including 489 confirmed cases and 53 deaths. This brings the total number of mpox cases in Africa to 38,465 since January 2022, with 1,456 deaths.

The outbreak has spread across 13 countries, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) bearing the brunt of the cases. Other countries, such as Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, are also experiencing a significant rise in infections. In response, Africa CDC has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, enabling the organization to coordinate resources and empower communities to combat the outbreak.

Mpox Outbreak Key Facts:

• Total Cases: 38,300 (since January 2024) 
• Confirmed Cases: 7,339 (since January 2024) 
• New Cases (past week): 3,186 
• Confirmed Cases (past week): 489 
• Deaths (past week): 53 
• Total Deaths: 979 
• Affected Countries: 13 

The mpox outbreak in Africa remains a significant public health concern, with 16 countries across all five regions reporting cases. This is alarming, especially since Central Africa is bearing the brunt, accounting for over 99% of mpox-related deaths this year.

Central Africa's situation is dire, with six countries reporting 33,735 suspected cases, 7,109 confirmed cases, and 975 deaths so far this year. To put this into perspective, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported 13,791 cases and 450 deaths, making up 96.3% of all cases and 97% of all deaths on the continent.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, mobilizing resources to combat the crisis. This declaration enables the organization to coordinate responses, unlock funding, and strengthen surveillance and laboratory testing efforts.

Statistics:

Affected Countries: 16 African countries across all five regions

Hardest-Hit Region: Central Africa (over 99% of mpox-related deaths)

Central Africa Cases: 33,735 suspected, 7,109 confirmed

Central Africa Deaths: 975

DRC Cases: 13,791 (96.3% of total cases)

DRC Deaths: 450 (97% of total deaths) 

“With the increase in the number of cases, mpox is still a major public health issue in Africa. Last week, we had 3,186 new cases,” Kesaya said.

“Under this trend, what we are seeing for the past four to five weeks is (a weekly average of) 2,500 to 3,000 new cases.

“We don't see a decrease in terms of deaths. It means the outbreak is still there, still increasing, and we need to continue to be focused to stop that.”

The mpox outbreak in Africa has seen a staggering 300% increase in reported cases this year compared to 2023. The hardest-hit countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, and Uganda, accounting for 98.7% of all confirmed cases. These countries are shouldering the bulk of the outbreak, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone reporting a significant number of cases.

The Africa CDC has sounded the alarm, declaring the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security in mid-August. This declaration underscores the urgent need for collective action to combat the crisis. Director-General Jean Kaseya emphasized the importance of prioritizing investigation and research, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children under 15 years. This age group is especially susceptible to severe illness and adverse outcomes.

Mpox Outbreak Key Facts:

• Affected Countries: 16 African countries across all five regions
• Top 5 Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, and Uganda
• Total Cases: 38,300 reported this year
• Confirmed Cases: 7,339 reported this year
• Death Toll: 979 reported this year
• Public Health Emergency: Declared by Africa CDC in mid-August

The outbreak's severity varies across age groups. Historically, children have been at higher risk for severe illness and death. However, recent data suggests that the current outbreak may be less severe among children, with fewer hospitalizations and no reported deaths in this age group.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, triggering its highest global alert for the disease for the second time in two years. This decision was made after the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported an upsurge in mpox cases, which has spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Mpox has a long history, dating back to 1958 when it was first detected in laboratory monkeys. The disease is believed to be transmitted from wild animals, such as rodents, to humans, as well as through human-to-human contact. This viral disease, caused by an orthopoxvirus, spreads mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox, causing a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever.

Facts About Mpox:

Transmission: Wild animals to humans, and human-to-human contact 

Symptoms: Painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever 

Global Alert: WHO's highest global alert for the disease, declared for the second time in two years 

Affected Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and others