Mpox in Africa: What we know and what is still lacking

Abstract

Emerging as a major global health threat, Mpox previously known as Monkeypox has drawn attention due to a worrying surge in cases. This zoonotic disease, native to Central and West Africa, is marked by fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy and is primarily spread through direct contact with infected animals or people and indirectly through contaminated objects. Recent studies have indicated possible sexual transmission, underscoring how human behavior and environmental changes are increasing its prevalence, even though human-to-human transmission is less efficient than that of smallpox. Mpox is endemic in several African countries, and currently, the infection has spread in non-endemic countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. Democratic Republic of Congo is the epicenter of the current Mpox outbreak. From January 1, 2022, to August 6, 2024, sixteen African countries reported Mpox outbreak. Several factors, including population immunity deficiencies and changes to the environment and ecology, have led to the widespread of Mpox in Africa. Challenges such as the fragile healthcare system, limited vaccine availability and access, weak surveillance, and low public awareness poses difficulty in containing the infection in affected countries. Given the potential of Mpox to disrupt several sectors including health systems, which may ultimately reverse progress in achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030. It is imperative for countries, both within and outside Africa, to extend financial aid and human resources to combat the infection effectively.