Mpox Fatalities in Africa Reach 260 Amidst Humanitarian Crisis in Congo

Addis Ababa, March 8 (NationPress) The number of fatalities from Africa's ongoing mpox outbreak has climbed to 260 since 2025, with total cases exceeding 24,200, as reported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

During an online press briefing on Thursday evening, Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff and head of the Executive Office at Africa CDC, stated that the African continent has documented 24,272 mpox cases since the beginning of the year. Out of these, 6,034 were confirmed, leading to approximately 260 related fatalities.

Data from the African Union's specialized health agency indicate that in just the past week, 11 African nations reported 2,610 new cases, with 664 confirmed cases and 45 new deaths.

Ngongo noted that among the 22 African countries affected by the ongoing mpox outbreak, 15 countries are currently witnessing active virus transmission, while 7 countries are in a controlled phase.

Meanwhile, the Africa CDC has raised alarms regarding the complications in managing the mpox outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where recent weeks have seen escalating clashes between the DRC army and the March 23 Movement rebels, as reported by Xinhua.

According to Africa CDC, the DRC, now the epicenter of the mpox outbreak in Africa, recorded 1,918 cases in the past week, including 202 confirmed cases and 44 new related deaths.

Ngongo emphasized the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict, with over two million individuals displaced, both internally and across borders. He cautioned that this situation is severely obstructing efforts to control the mpox outbreak.

He mentioned that the conflict has disrupted laboratory services and hampered testing and reporting efforts, with at least 605 active mpox patients escaping treatment centers in conflict-affected areas. The Africa CDC also highlighted that transporting samples has become increasingly difficult due to the humanitarian crisis.

Mpox, formerly referred to as monkeypox, was first identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral illness typically transmitted through bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects. The infection often leads to symptoms like fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

Last week, the Africa CDC declared that the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa continues to be classified as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. The continental health agency initially labeled the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security in mid-August of the previous year. Shortly thereafter, the World Health Organization also classified the viral disease as a public health emergency of international concern.