Regional Mpox Bulletin: 23 August 2024
Since 1 January 2022, cases of mpox have been reported to WHO from 15 Member States across the African Region. As of 18 August 2024 , a total of 5 940 laboratory confirmed cases, including 48 deaths, have been reported to WHO. As of 22 August 2024, 13 countries have reported confirmed cases in 2024.
In 2024, as of 18 August 2024, 3 562 confirmed cases, including 26 deaths, have been reported. The three countries with the majority of the cases in 2024 are Democratic Republic of the Congo, (n = 3 235), Burundi, (n = 153), and Central African Republic, (n = 45).
A significant number of suspected cases, that are clinically compatible with mpox are not tested due to limited diagnostic capacity and get never confirmed. Work on integrating this data is currently ongoing and will be included in future updates of this report.
Public Action
WHO has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of lnternational Concern on 14 August 2024 and has extended the standing recommendations for mpox by another year until August 2025. WHO AFRO has established an lncident Management Support Team (lMST) and developed a Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) to coordinate eforts across the region. WHO AFRO is working with Africa CDC to elaborate the African Continental strategic response plan for mpox.