The mpox outbreak in Africa remains a significant public health concern, with cases continuing to rise across multiple countries, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). On Thursday, the agency warned that the outbreak is still not under control.

The World Health Organization (WHO) previously declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after identifying a new variant of the virus. African nations are grappling with this outbreak, which follows closely after the Covid-19 pandemic that highlighted the continent’s fragile healthcare systems and lack of preparedness for major health crises.

Data from the Africa CDC shows a 177 percent increase in mpox cases and a 38.5 percent rise in deaths compared to the same period last year. Jean Kaseya, the director general of Africa CDC, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “We can say today that mpox is not under control in Africa. We still have this increase of cases that is worrying for all of us.”

In just one week, 2,912 new cases were reported, including a case in Morocco, marking the spread of the disease across all four regions of the continent. So far, 15 out of 55 African Union member states have reported mpox cases, with 14 deaths occurring within a week.

Countries like Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are particularly hard-hit, with two strains of the virus circulating. However, weak surveillance and testing systems make it difficult to determine the situation in other nations. Kaseya highlighted the need for stronger health infrastructure to manage the outbreak effectively.

On a more positive note, Rwanda has initiated its mpox vaccination campaign, while the DRC, which has been at the center of the outbreak, plans to start vaccinations by early October. The region remains on high alert as efforts to control the spread continue.