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Monkeypox (Mpox) has resurfaced with a broader global impact compared to the 2022 outbreak, as highlighted in a recent Lancet report.
Monkeypox (Mpox) has resurfaced with a broader global impact compared to the 2022 outbreak, as highlighted in a recent Lancet report. The current surge, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the epicenter, has raised international concern due to the emergence of a new clade 1b, known for its increased transmissibility and potential for severe outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14, and the Africa CDC has labeled it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
The outbreak has affected a wider demographic than before, with reports of cases among men, women, and children, unlike the previous outbreak, which mainly impacted men who have sex with men. The Africa Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report 18,737 Mpox cases (3,101 confirmed, 15,636 suspected) and 541 deaths across 12 African countries since January 2023. This is a significant increase from 2023, which saw 14,838 cases (1,665 confirmed, 13,173 suspected) and 738 deaths.
In the DRC, Mpox cases are widespread, affecting all 26 provinces, with children under 15 constituting 66% of cases and over 82% of deaths. Limited testing and surveillance obscure the full extent of the outbreak, with less than 30% of cases being tested in the DRC. The situation remains monitored globally, though India has reported no cases to date. Mpox, which causes fever, headaches, muscle aches, and painful skin lesions, continues to pose a serious health threat.
