Mpox Deaths Surpass 1,000 In Africa

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the number of mpox-related deaths on the continent has surpassed 1,000. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa CDC, noted that the trend shows mpox in Africa “is going out of control if we don’t act.”

Zimbabwe and Zambia are the latest African countries to confirm mpox cases in the past week. According to the continent's top public health agency, the total number of suspected cases in the region since the beginning of 2024 now stands at 42,438, with 8,113 confirmed as mpox. There were 50 mpox-related deaths in the past week, bringing the total to 1,100. Jean Kaseya also warned that the outbreak currently affects 18 of the continent’s 55 nations.

Mpox is surging, with over 1100 deaths & cases spreading in 18 countries, up from a handful at t/ beginning of 2024. Kenya has just confirmed its 1st case. @AfricaCDC DG Dr @JeanKaseya2 has stressed the need for urgent action & the release of pledged funds to fight the #outbreak. pic.twitter.com/M2WPKJ9pLz

— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) October 17, 2024

“We are still fighting with this outbreak. We don’t want to see all African countries affected," said the Director General, as quoted by Associated Press. “This is my clear message to our partners. We acknowledge their pledge, but we need quickly to translate pledge into concrete money to support the response,” Jean Kaseya added. The agency also said that Kenya recorded its first death from mpox, and a case was confirmed in a prison in central Uganda. Earlier in August, WHO declared Africa’s outbreaks a global health emergency.