Africa CDC to declare Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Concern

ETHIOPIA—The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is preparing to declare Mpox a public health emergency of continental concern, marking the first time the agency has taken such a decisive step.

This move follows a concerning surge in Mpox cases across Africa in 2024, with reported cases in the first six months already matching the total from the previous year.

This critical decision follows a briefing received by Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, from H.E. Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union (AU).

President Ghazouani, who also chairs the Africa CDC’s Heads of State and Government Council, outlined the urgency of the situation and commended the Africa CDC for its proactive efforts in tackling public health emergencies.

He expressed his unwavering commitment to leading a coordinated and robust response, emphasizing the need for all member states and partners to unite in this fight.

In his commitment to addressing the Mpox epidemic, President Ghazouani reaffirmed his pledge to spearhead the political response.

In addition to the US$10.4 million previously allocated by the African Union from COVID-19 funds, he announced plans to work closely with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, the African Champion for Epidemic Preparedness, Prevention, and Response, alongside the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Director General of Africa CDC.

This collaboration aims to mobilize necessary resources and coordinate efforts to combat the epidemic.

President Ghazouani also committed to convening a special meeting of African Heads of State and partners to address the Mpox epidemic and bolster Africa’s health systems, ensuring they remain resilient in the face of future challenges.

 The unified leadership and commitment demonstrated by the African Union underscore its resolve to protect the health and well-being of its citizens.

This collective effort aims not only to halt the Mpox epidemic but also to strengthen the continent’s health systems for the future.

Since the start of 2022, over 38,000 Mpox cases and 1,456 related deaths have been reported across the continent.

However,  the situation has escalated dramatically in 2024, with more than 14,000 cases and 450 deaths recorded in just ten African Union member states, where 2,750 of these cases have been confirmed, representing a 160% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

This rapid spread of the virus has raised significant concerns, particularly with recent outbreaks in DRC, with Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda reported their first-ever cases of Mpox.

Adding to the challenge is the emergence of a new variant of the pox virus, known as clade 1b, which is currently driving an outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The virus has since spread to neighbouring countries, further complicating efforts to contain the epidemic.

The DRC, where Mpox was initially detected in 1970 and where it remains endemic, continues to bear the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for over 96% of the total cases and deaths reported.

In February 2024, the African Union expanded the mandate of Africa CDC in a strategic response to the escalating public health crisis. The agency is now responsible for manufacturing medicines and diagnostics in addition to its existing role in vaccine distribution.

This expansion is a critical move aimed at creating a sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem on the continent while generating predictable demand; manufacturers can plan for the long term, which is essential for developing a viable production infrastructure.

At the time, Dr. Kaseya emphasized that this expansion would enhance coordination between Africa CDC and member states, accelerating the research and development of diagnostics and vaccines.

This will allow Africa CDC to lead a pooled procurement initiative, collaborating with continental and global partners to secure better pricing for member states. The African market for medicines and vaccines is estimated to be worth approximately US$50 billion annually.

This decisive action by Africa CDC coincides with the World Health Organization (WHO) considering a similar global declaration.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced plans to convene an emergency committee “as soon as possible” to assess whether the Mpox outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

Given the virus’s spread beyond the DRC and the potential for further international transmission, this step is seen as necessary to curb the outbreak on a global scale.